The Federal Government has ordered an immediate halt to construction on the 12km Sagamu-Iperu Road near the Sagamu Interchange on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway due to concerns over the quality of work.
The Minister of Works, Senator Dave Umahi, issued the directive on Thursday during an inspection tour of ongoing road projects in Lagos and Ogun states.
Umahi expressed dissatisfaction with both the pace and quality of the construction, criticising the materials and processes being used.
He gave the contractor a seven-day deadline to rectify the situation, including removing the existing stone base and replacing it with the correct mix using appropriate milling equipment.
He further instructed the contractor to accelerate the project timeline and take immediate action to improve standards.
According to the minister, all ramps and retaining walls on some of the bridges have been completed, but he raised concerns over rusted reinforcement rods found on several piers.
“That is very dangerous,” he said.
“I am giving seven days. I am leaving behind the design head so that they can work till Sunday to come up with a comprehensive drawing and then costing, so that I can appeal to Mr President.”
He emphasised the urgency of the repairs, warning that any structural collapse would cost billions to reconstruct, while early intervention would require significantly less funding.
(NAN)