Kunle Adelabu
-It’s a routine inspection to ensure project going according to plans – S.A. Works
It was a commendation galore from the Majority Leader of the Lagos State House of Assembly and the representative of the Ikorodu Constituency I, Hon. Sanai Agunbiade and the representatives of the Sekumade of Ipakodo and the community, on Wednesday, February 3, 2021, during the tour of the ongoing reconstruction of the Oba Sekumade road.
They commended the Lagos State Government and the Arab Contractors handling the road project.
The Special Adviser to the Governor of Lagos State on Works & Infrastructures, Engr. Aramide Adeyoye, led the officials of the Ministry of Works and Infrastructures, including its Permanent Secretary, on the tour of road projects in Ikorodu Division of Lagos State, Southwest, Nigeria.
The Aro of Ipakodo, High Chief J.O. Shonubi and Baale of Ogolonto, Chief O.Y.O. Fatola, represented the Oba Bashir Sotonwa, the Sekumade of Ipakodo and the people of Ipakodo community during the tour.
Hon. Agunbiade, a four – term lawmaker who played a major role in the re-award of the contract on the road which the Special Adviser said that has been awarded twice in the last 20 years, commended the Lagos State Government and Ministry of Works and Infrastructures for ensuring constant monitoring of the road project and not leaving anything to chance.
He said that all the complaints and observations garnered from residents and road users during his own inspections and that of the committee put in place by the Sekumade of Ipakodo, His Royal Majesty, Oba Bashir Sotonowa, have been factored into the ongoing project by the ministry and specifically appreciated the Special Adviser for her detailed work.
“Since the commencement of the road construction, we have been monitoring constantly.
“The Sekumade of Ipakodo also set up a monitoring team which the Aro of Ipakodo is a member and they have been monitoring the project as well.
“I also come here from time – to – time to monitor and listen to people and get complaints and observations”, Hon. Agunbiade said.
“Today is for the road inspection for Ikorodu Constituency I and Ikorodu Division generally and of course, I am part of the team. We have been here and I have observed the procedures for inspection and I want to say that the Ministry of Works, represented by the Special Adviser, has been so detailed in the inspection by looking at every aspect of the works that is ongoing, observing and making necessary correctional suggestions to be used by the contractor”, he added.
“I am glad that the government of Lagos State has not taken anything for granted. Arab Contractors is seen to be one of the reliable contractors around, but it is not enough to give contract to them as it is also necessary to monitor such to see that they work to specification.
Hon. Agunbiade said that the government is ensuring that the end users are given value for the money that had been paid to the contractor on their behalf, with the tour and close monitoring of the project.
“The government of Lagos State, under the administration of Mr Babajide Sanwo – Olu, is so concerned about the end users and the end product.
“This inspection has been so impactful. I am part of it, I observed it and listened to issues, corrections and suggestions made. Not only that, the ministry also alerted the contractor that after some weeks, it would come back to inspect the areas suggested and observed. So, at the end of the day, there is no doubt that we are going to have a road that will stand the test of time.
“As the S.A has said, this is a road that is very important because it leads to the Ikorodu Ferry terminal and Lighter Terminal where we have heavy duty trucks carrying cargoes and the rest of it. So, the road has to be done in such a way that it will be able to meet the vehicular impacts on it.
“We are sure that with this process been taken, it is going to be a good road for the people of Ikorodu and Lagos State”.
Engr. Aramide Adeyoye, the Special Adviser on Works & Infrastructures who described the Sekumade road as an important strategic road, said that the tour is part of the monitoring efforts put in place by the ministry to ensure that contractors work according to plans.
“When this administration came on board, we needed to declare a state of emergency on roads and this road is one of them. Not only that, it is a major strategic road because it actually fixes into the intermodal transport system within the strategic area of Lagos.
“Unfortunately, this road has been awarded twice in the last twenty years and it is expected of us to get whatever that we are doing now right and ensure that it is sustainable.
“We are here on routine inspection to ensure that what they are doing is according to plan. In Ministry of Works and Infrastructures, as part of the things that we always do to guarantee our quality assurance and control, we usually visit project sites”, she said.
“It is not just enough to award jobs to contractors, we actually monitor them to ensure that we get value for money, where there are likely to be errors, we quickly point them out so that at the end of the day, Lagosians can have benefit for the money and the road sustainable and last longer”, Engr. Aramide added.
“We were here and pointed out one or two corrections to the contractor, which they are going to remedy and also do what they needed to fix. They are adhering to the construction methodology and where there are little lapses, they have been instructed accordingly and they will fix them.
“All in all, I will say that the job is going on according to plans, especially now that rain is coming. They are working assiduously to ensure that those hardcore are taking care of before the rain starts. In all, we are on track”, she said.
The Aro of Ipakodo, High Chief Shonubi, also commended the government for the award of the project and Arab Contractors for the quality work that they are doing.
Chief Fatola, the Baale of Ogolonto, also speaking on behalf of the Ipakodo residents, also commended the state government and the contractor for the good job.
The two traditional chiefs, however, made some observations and suggestions which the Special Adviser assured will be put into considerations as the project progresses.
As at yesterday, Arab Contractors is assiduously working on the right side (entry from Ogolonto) of the Sekumade road where work is ongoing on the construction of a drainage system to channel waters from that side to the left and into the Lagoon.
Engr. Mohammed Essan, the Road Manager, Arab Contractors, led the contractor’s team which also included AmrKoth, the Concrete Manager, and others during the tour.
