By Oluwaseun Sonde
The Federal Government through the Ministry of Works and Housing has disclosed that the main problem on the Lagos–Badagry expressway project was always funding and budget, adding that this issue is now substantially addressed.
The Minister, Babatunde Fashola who made it known while fielding questions from journalists during the inspection tour of the ongoing rehabilitation, noted that the issue was addressed by Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) Road Infrastructure Tax Credit Scheme and the contractor is progressing with the project as seen.
He explained that Lagos–Badagry route is part of the Lagos–Abidjan highway which is about 1,048 Kilometres. "It is also a very strategic investment, Nigeria is making as Nigeria’s contribution to West African Trade and for the local community".
During the inspection, the Minister interacted with Oni Ibereko of Ibereko 1, Oba Israel Adewale Okoya, urged the King to discourage some members of the communities from carting away construction materials meant for the road embankment for personal use, and to also tell his subjects in the area to stop trading by the road side.
Fashola advised the Management of the Contractor handling the road project, China Geo-Engineering Corporation (CGC) Nigeria Limited to employ more staff and get more equipment in order to speed up the progress of work on the road before the weather condition and other factors start to impede the progress on the construction work.
One of the Community Chiefs in the area, Oni Ibereko of Ibereko 1, Oba Israel Adewale Okoya speaking earlier said, “The completed portion of the road has brought succor to the people. In the past Badagry to Agbara used to be a journey of about four to five hours but the travel time is now less than 30minutes.
"And the contractor keep working on the road, we are so happy. I thank President Muhammadu Buhari on behalf of our own son Babatunde Raji Fashola.”
The Oba assured the Minister that he would have meeting with his fellow chiefs and elders in the communities to ensure that the people stop trading by the road side and those carting away building materials would be handed over to the police if they failed to heed warning.
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