The Minister of Works, David Umahi, has issued fresh directives to accelerate and improve ongoing highway projects on the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway and the Iperu–Ore section of the Benin–Sagamu corridor. His instructions follow an inspection of concrete highway construction across the two major corridors.
During the inspection on Tuesday, Umahi emphasized that resident engineers must formally document and sign off all ministerial instructions, warning that compliance would be rigorously monitored during subsequent visits. “I will give my instructions, then the resident engineer will write it down, and then I will sign it off, and he will sign. When next I’m visiting, I will look at the instruction, whether he has fully carried it out,” he said.
Contractors failing to comply risk partial withdrawal of contracts as supervision is intensified through both resident engineers and ministry officials.
Lagos–Ibadan Expressway Update
On the 12-kilometre-by-two Lagos–Ibadan section, spanning the Sagamu Interchange to Iperu Junction, Umahi expressed satisfaction with the work, noting that over 50% of the job has been completed despite only 30% of contract payments being made. The project, valued at approximately N187 billion, now requires immediate protective works along completed pavements, including stabilisation of shoulders with laterite to a minimum width of 1.5 metres to prevent water ingress.
Umahi also set a deadline for solar lighting installation, warning that failure to complete the task by the end of the month would lead to reassignment.
Resident Engineer Aderanti Ogini confirmed that rigid pavement has been completed on 12 kilometres of the right-hand side and eight kilometres on the left, with three of five planned pedestrian bridges already under construction.
Iperu–Ore Corridor Update
On the Iperu–Ore section, spanning 48 kilometres by two, Resident Engineer Adebanjo Adebisi reported that 12 kilometres of rigid pavement have been completed on one carriageway. Umahi commended the concrete quality but ordered the removal of defective medians and non-compliant joints, directing contractors to rebuild affected areas at their own expense.
He also directed milling of asphalt along the remaining 96 kilometres to improve motorability, ease traffic, and prepare shoulders for full concrete works.
Ibadan–Ilesa Expressway Measures
Umahi’s inspection extended to the Ibadan–Ilesa Expressway, where he ordered palliative interventions, including milling failed asphalt sections, stabilising shoulders with stone base, and deploying multiple work gangs to restore motorability while concrete reconstruction continues.
Contractors diverting from approved sequences or expanding earthworks beyond specifications will not be paid, although emergency asphalt works will be funded to alleviate commuter hardship.
