2 weeks ago
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• I don’t have your time, Federal Controller replies to The Guardian inquiry
• Residents rue slow pace of construction
It has been 20 months since the Federal Government began the drainage construction from Lagos State Polytechnic to Pako Bus Stop in Isolo Local Council of Lagos State and the road construction from Isolo to Ejigbo.
This project was approved by President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration two years ago. The Isolo-Ejigbo road construction and other projects ratified by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) were expected to be completed within 12 months.
The Federal Ministry of Works handles the drainage construction, which started in January 2023.
When the project began, residents were optimistic that the notorious traffic congestion in the area would soon end.
However, their hope for a speedy completion has been dashed, as there is currently no new delivery date for the job.
The contractor for the Isolo/Ejigbo Road reconstruction project has allegedly been employing delay tactics. Workers are only visible on-site once or twice a week and sometimes not at all. The road project is 1.9 kilometres from the Lagos State Polytechnic (LASPOTECH) in Isolo to Pako Bus Stop and 5.6 kilometres from Iyana Ejigbo to LASPOTECH.
The project’s completion deadline is June 2024, but progress has been slow, leading to a significant delay.
According to a report by The Guardian, construction of the road only started in May 2024, 16 months after bulldozers were deployed to the site. The construction work, which began around the Abimbola area, has only progressed by less than 100 meters.
The road is in a poor state, with numerous potholes causing accidents and traffic delays. In July, the contractor filled some portions of the road with granite to ease motorists’ discomfort.
This delay has raised concerns among motorists, residents, and other stakeholders regarding the contractor’s ability to complete the project. Additionally, the contractor is alleged to have removed the signpost indicating the construction details, the contractor’s information, and the completion date.
Residents have been vocal about the road’s poor condition, highlighting numerous incidents, including 13 cars getting stuck in July.
House of Representatives member Okey-Joe Onuakalusi, who represents Oshodi/Isolo Federal Constituency II, visited the site and expressed dissatisfaction with the project’s slow progress. He emphasised the road’s economic importance to the various communities and urged the contractor to expedite the project.
When The Guardian reached out to the Federal Ministry of Works in Lagos on Thursday, the Controller, Olukorede Keisha, promised to revert on Friday, August 23. She didn’t. The Guardian called her again on Friday. She promised to call back on Saturday but failed to do so. However, when The Guardian got through to her, the Controller responded, “I don’t have your time,” and hung up. Subsequent efforts to reach her have failed as she refused to pick up calls.
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