WED, MARCH 27 2019-theG&BJournal- The multi-billion Naira 10-lane Murtala Muhammed International Airport Road project in Lagos, Nigeria will be completed by August, said a source familiar with the delivery schedule of the benchmark project which has been delayed by rains.
Work on the project started in August 2018 after the Federal Government granted permission to the Lagos State government to rebuild the dilapidated road from scratch. The permission was signed by the Vice President Yomi Osibanjo in 2017. The project was initially valued at N2 billion.
‘’The work that is going on here is a very solid construction work and I can say that HITEC, the indigenous construction company working here is delivering very high quality work which is unprecedented in Nigeria,’’ said Ben Nwaokoye, CEO Startrek Cargo limited, a member of association of customs licensed agents.
Mr Nwaokoye told theG&BJournal that HITEC started the foundation of the work on solid designs, starting with soil testing ‘’and at least in six months time the project will be completed because they are fast and efficient.’’
‘’The delays are as a result of the additional over head bridges that they are putting up and the rains. The latest over-head bridge started in February is schedule to be completed before the end of April,’’ he said.
‘’You can see that the users of this road are very happy because of the quality of work going on here, the construction workers are happy as they are working, they are well paid and taken care of, the engineers are happy and they have the equipment to deliver on the job,’’ said Nwaokoye who equally praised the courage of the FG to grant construction permission and the Lagos State government for their resolve to deliver a first class project.
He said one the big benefit is that it will help businesses in the cargo area of the airport to deliver cargos with less cost now. Congestions and grid locks will be a thing of the past.
‘’It is difficult to fight nature and rain has not helped and what we are seeing is the result of the heavy downpour for the last few weeks but the work is ongoing and with the cooperation from the contractors, whatever time we have lost, things will be accelerated, The State, Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Mr Adebowale Akinsanya , said in September 2018 while speaking on the completion date delay.
“We have a good working relationship with Hi-Tech; they are committed to the project and I can assure the people that by first quarter of next year, this project will be commissioned by God’s grace,” the Commissioner said.
The design of the Airport Road includes reconstruction and expansion of the existing carriage to 3-lane Expressway on both directions, construction of 2-lane Service Road in both directions, construction of Ramp Bridge to provide a U-turn from Ajao Estate to Airport, construction of a flyover at NAHCO/Toll Gate and drainage works.
Others include the removal of Pedestrian Bridge at Ajao Estate and construction of Pedestrian Bridges at Ajao Estate and NAHCO/Hajj Camp, construction of Slip Road to provide access to Ajao Estate, construction of Lay-bys and installation of Street Lights, among others.
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