The Nigerian Government has indicated it may terminate the contract with Reynolds Construction Company (RCC) for the Osun-Ogbomosho road project, citing an 18-year delay in completion.
Minister of Works David Umahi announced this possibility during a joint inspection of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, Lagos-Ota Expressway, and Lagos-Sagamu road on Tuesday.
Umahi stated, “The Osun-Ogbomoso road repair is being managed by RCC. The contract has extended for too long 18 years and the work remains incomplete, so we can terminate the contract with RCC by effluxion of time.”
The minister also addressed concerns regarding the Lagos-Ibadan Sagamu road project, warning that the contractors responsible for phase two of this project face potential termination for failure to meet deadlines. He explained, “Two contractors were assigned to the Lagos-Ibadan Sagamu road. While Julius Berger has completed their section, RCC has not finished phase two.”
He cautioned, “The contractor handling the Sagamu to Ibadan stretch risks termination of its appointment if it does not return to the site to complete the remaining three kilometers of the project without further delay.” RCC has been given a seven-day deadline, with a warning letter to follow if compliance is not met.
Regarding the Lagos-Abeokuta federal highway, which has been in disrepair for over eight years, Umahi noted that the Ogun State Governor has awarded a contract for part of the road, with ongoing work in accordance with directives from President Bola Tinubu. The president has stated, “Any state governor that wants to do a road should go ahead.”
Umahi added, “There are 18 kilometers left to process for construction, but I’m pleased to report that one of the carriageways is in good condition, despite heavy traffic.” To address public concerns, the ministry has procured funds for palliative work on about seven kilometers of the road.
Although additional funds are still needed for the remaining 11 kilometers, Umahi has applied to the Minister of Finance for emergency funding to expedite the entire project.
In his recommendations, the minister suggested the use of concrete for the Lagos-Ota road and ordered an immediate evacuation of buried refuse on the runway of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway to accelerate ongoing construction efforts.
