The Federal Government has temporarily suspended work on the Sagamu-Iperu Road, located by the Sagamu Interchange along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, following concerns over the quality of construction. This decision was announced by the Minister of Works, Senator Dave Umahi, during his inspection tour of ongoing road projects in Lagos and Ogun states on Thursday.
The 12-kilometer stretch of the Sagamu-Iperu Road has been a vital component in improving transportation and connectivity between the two states. However, the Minister expressed his dissatisfaction with the current progress and quality of work being carried out by the contractor. The road’s poor construction standards, particularly the use of subpar materials and improper techniques, prompted the government to take swift action.
Umahi, visibly concerned about the ongoing delays and compromised quality, directed the contractor handling the project to halt all work until the issues were rectified. He issued a stern seven-day ultimatum for the contractor to remedy the situation, particularly addressing the stone base used in the construction.
“The current stone base used is below the expected standard and needs to be removed,” Umahi stated. “The right milling machine and the correct stone base mixture must be used moving forward. We cannot afford to cut corners, especially when it concerns the safety of our people,” he added.
Furthermore, the Minister highlighted serious structural concerns with some of the bridges on the road, including rusting rods in the piers. He emphasized the potential danger posed by these structural weaknesses and expressed the urgency of addressing these problems before they escalated into a disaster. “If any of these structures were to collapse, the cost of reconstruction would run into billions of Naira. It is better we fix these issues now before they become more costly and complex,” he warned.
The Minister also expressed his frustration with the speed of work, calling for a swift acceleration of the construction efforts. He ordered that a comprehensive design be drawn up, with cost estimates, within the next few days, in order to expedite the process. The road project’s delay has already caused significant inconvenience to commuters and residents, and Umahi stressed the need for prompt action to ensure that work could resume without further delays.
To facilitate this process, the Minister left behind a design head to work on the road project over the weekend, ensuring that all necessary adjustments and revisions were made to meet the required standards. Umahi’s directive reflects the government’s commitment to ensuring the successful completion of the road, which plays a key role in improving transportation within the region.
The Sagamu-Iperu Road is expected to ease traffic congestion along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, a major route for travelers heading to and from Lagos. The suspension of work has raised concerns among local residents and businesses that rely on the road for daily commuting and transporting goods. However, the Federal Government’s decision to halt work temporarily is seen as a necessary step to prevent further long-term setbacks.
While this delay may cause some inconvenience in the short term, the government is determined to ensure that the final outcome meets the highest standards of safety and quality. The Sagamu-Iperu Road is a critical infrastructure project that will ultimately benefit thousands of people, and the government is committed to delivering a road that is safe, durable, and conducive to regional economic growth.
Key Issues Highlighted by the Minister:
Poor quality of materials, particularly the stone base used for the road
Rusting rods and structural weaknesses in some of the bridges
Delay in the speed of construction
Safety concerns regarding the integrity of the road and bridges
Umahi’s inspection tour also highlighted the importance of maintaining high standards in all national infrastructure projects. The Ministry of Works is expected to continue overseeing the situation closely to ensure that the Sagamu-Iperu Road meets the government’s vision for sustainable and quality-driven infrastructure development.
As the deadline approaches, all eyes will be on the contractor’s ability to address the issues and resume work. The Federal Government has made it clear that it will not compromise on quality when it comes to public infrastructure, and this decision signals a zero-tolerance policy for substandard work.
The halt in work on the Sagamu-Iperu Road project has raised concerns but also served as a wake-up call for contractors and stakeholders involved in major infrastructure projects. With a seven-day ultimatum to correct the issues, the government has set clear expectations for timely and quality work. The successful completion of this project is crucial for enhancing transportation in the region and furthering Nigeria’s infrastructure development agenda.