Reconstruction and expansion work has started on the Lagos-Ibadan dual carriageway, easily one of the busiest and most important roads in Nigeria. The N167 billion project is being handled by two reputable firms, Messrs Julius Berger Plc and RCC Nigeria Limited. It is scheduled to be completed in four years.

“This event fulfils my promise to accelerate these projects after the termination of the concession agreement between the Federal Government and Bi-Courtney for the reconstruction of the road. It also reflects our commitment as an administration to practically and relentlessly meet the yearnings of our people and also to improve our national transport infrastructure,” said President Goodluck Jonathan while flagging off the work yesterday.

He described the about 127.8km road constructed between 1974 and 1978, as an important economic artery that connects the country’s economic nerve centre: sea ports; airports and other vital businesses to many of the states of our federation.

“At the regional level, the road constitutes a section of the strategic Trans Saharan Highway, which links Lagos on the Atlantic Ocean to Algiers on the Mediterranean Sea,” the President said, adding:

“This strategic national infrastructure is therefore of great socio-economic importance, not only to Nigeria, but also to the people of Africa. It is for this reason and noting that a comprehensive renovation and reconstruction was long overdue that the Federal Government in 2009, acting in good faith,entered into a concession agreement under a Public Private Partnership (PPP) scheme to deliver on the road and alleviate the hardships on millions of road users.

“The state of disrepair of the road; the recurring fatal accidents; unprecedented traffic jams and security breaches, which compromised public health and safety are not issues a democratic government can ignore. In the public interest therefore, we have had to terminate the agreement after four years of evident non-performance.

“On termination, we acted swiftly late last year when we deployed two reputable road construction companies to carry out emergency repair works on the road to ease traffic as interim measures.”

He assured that his administration “has made adequate funding arrangements to see the projects all the way through to completion and by the special grace of God, we are certain to deliver on our promise and pledge, on schedule.”

The ceremony was graced by several dignitaries, among them Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun, Minister for Works, Arch. Mike Onolememen, Minister of State for Works, Ambassador Bashir Yuguda, and Permanent Secretary in the Federal Ministry of Works, Dr. A.K. Muhammed.

•Photo shows President Jonathan operating a tractor at the flag-off ceremony. On the right is Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun.