Executive Secretary of the Anti-Corruption Network, Otunba Dino Melaye, has expressed outrage over the cost of the reconstruction of the Lagos - Ibadan Expressway in South-West Nigeria. The former lawmaker alleged “mega corruption” in the deal worth N167 billion.

Unburdening his mind on the contract, Melaye said this morning on Facebook: “N167 billion to ‘re-construct’ 128KM Lagos - Ibadan express road by Julius Berger and RCC. N1.3 billion per KM. mega corruption. Could this be a fund raising towards 2015. Will Nigerians keep quiet? Will National Assembly look the other way? In an unjust society silence is a crime.”

Reconstruction and expansion work on the road, easily one of the busiest and most important in Nigeria, was flagged off on Friday by President Goodluck Jonathan, who promised that the project would be delivered within four years as scheduled.

The about 127.8km road was constructed between 1974 and 1978. It is an important economic artery that connects Nigeria’s economic nerve centre: sea ports; airports and other vital businesses to many of the states of our federation.

It also constitutes a section of the strategic Trans Saharan Highway, which links Lagos on the Atlantic Ocean to Algiers on the Mediterranean Sea.

•Photo shows Otunba Melaye.