FG Threatens to Take Over Half of Ibadan–Ilesha Road Contract Over Delays

The Federal Government has warned that it may assume control of 50 per cent of the rehabilitation and expansion contract for the Ibadan–Ilesha Expressway if the contractor fails to comply with project directives. The Minister of Works, Sen. Dave Umahi, issued the warning on Wednesday during an on-site inspection of the project. Although he acknowledged that the contractor was making progress on the 216km road, he stressed that the government would not hesitate to reduce the scope of the contract if urgent palliative repairs on damaged sections were not carried out immediately. Umahi explained that non-compliance would result in the federal government taking over 108km of the road—equivalent to one full carriageway. He directed the contractor to deploy five full work gangs for concrete operations, with the first assigned to cover chainage zero to chainage 25 on both sides, while the remaining gangs address other failed sections requiring urgent attention. The minister also warned that the government would not pay for unnecessary earthworks, noting that some activities observed on site were avoidable. He clarified that earthworks should only follow the laying of concrete and that there was no justification for removing and later replacing laterite on the road shoulders. Despite the stern warning, Umahi commended the contractor for efforts to address flooded sections of the highway. He assured motorists that the government would fund approved asphalt palliative works through counterpart financing to provide immediate relief and improve driving conditions along the corridor.