Lagos-Ibadan express way concession project on hold

The planned reconstruction and modernisation of Lagos-Ibadan Expressway may have been put on hold as the concessionaire is still awaiting the final draft of the road design from the Federal Ministry of Works.

The development came just as it was learnt that the concessionaire had not sealed any funding arrangement with local or international financial institutions for the project.


A source at the Lagos office of Bi-Courtney Highway Services Limited, the concessionaire, told SUNDAY PUNCH correspondent on Thursday that the company could not embark on full-scale reconstruction work without the approved design.

The final design, it was learnt, incorporated the scope of work, the engineering design, bill of engineering measurement and evaluation as well as the Environmental Impact Assessment report.

The scope of work will involve the full reconstruction of the existing carriageways from Lagos to Ibadan; the provision of two additional lanes in each direction between Lagos and Sagamu Interchange, making it four lanes; the provision of associated facilities for the security and welfare of road users, as well as ensuring a free flow of traffic and a toll collection plaza.

Another source at the ministry, who confirmed that they were holding on to the project design, said only the new minister could decide when to release it.

He spoke to PUNCH on Thursday on the condition that his name would not be published because he was not authorised to talk on the issue.

The Chairman, Highway Services, Dr. Wale Babalakin, said last year that proper rehabilitation and reconstruction work would commence in January this year.

Babalakin, who said then that the final design of the project had been submitted to the ministry for ratification, added, however, that the firm was embarking on a remedial work to make the road passable for those travelling home for the Christmas and New Year festivities.

He had said, “Between now and the end of the year, we intend to make the road passable by ensuring that there are no craters and potholes on the road that can hinder movement. By the time we move into next year, we would have commenced more extensive work.”

The immediate past Minister of Works, Senator Sanusi Daggash, had earlier said, “Over one year after signing the project contract, we are still looking at the drawings, which is something that should have been done with the other elements of the PPP transaction before now.”

The Federal Government handed over the 105-kilometre road to the company on May 26, 2009, on a concession agreement to renovate, expand, modernise and maintain it for a period of 25 years.

But more than two years after that historic handover, no major work has been done on the road.

Our correspondent had earlier reported that the company had contacted some foreign financiers for the project but the inability to secure a local bank to guarantee the deal had stalled the arrangement.

Although Bi-Courtney had patched and graded some failed sections of the road from Lagos to Sagamu Exchange, investigation by our correspondent showed that the Ibadan section of the road had remained in a bad state.

Motorists also complained about some bumpy portions of the road, which were said to have been a major cause of accidents, especially whenever it rained.

Manholes are a major feature of some spots. For instance, from the Berger point to end of the long bridge, a stretch of about 8km, our correspondent counted about 30 manholes.

And there had been crashes as drivers tried to evade each death-trap (manhole).

Trailer menace is still a major problem on the road, especially at Ogere, Ibafo and Magboro.

The number of trucks on these spots recently increased considerably after the Lagos State Government threatened to impound heavy duty vehicles parked haphazardly along Apapa-Oshodi Expressway, which were blocking the road from Mile 2 end to Apapa.

Reacting to the development, the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission, said it was talking to the two parties to ensure that the project commenced in earnest.

It, however, stressed that it could not force the ministry to sign the approved design, and added that it was holding regular meetings with them, providing the necessary guide so that this concession does not go the way of past failed projects.

Details of the concession agreement indicated that “the concessionaire shall at its own cost prepare the road and the construction facilities in accordance with all requirements of this agreement.

“Let me assure Nigerians that the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway will be constructed as the most attractive, users-friendly and environmental-friendly designed road, not only in Nigeria, but also in Africa,” Babalakin had said.

He also said that both the remedial and major reconstruction works would be executed with minimal disruption to the movement of vehicles on the road.

Already, he said a new route was being created at Kilometre 32, where traffic would be diverted at the peak of work for ease of movement.

Road signs and sign posts had also been erected to warn motorists and other road users at the approach of major construction site and dangerous spots.

The project, whose cost is put at N89bn, will also involve the provision of parking areas for heavy duty vehicles; rest areas with eateries and conveniences; emergency communications equipment and clinics and emergency ambulances.

Other facilities to be provided are electronic traffic control and enforcement measures; highway lighting between 7pm and 6am through the installation of a gas-fired plant; overhead pedestrian bridges at designated locations; modern toll points with electronic tolling system; and modern road signs and lane markings.

Source: Sunday Punch

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