Kunle Adelabu
While it was commendations for the Arab Contractors for working according to plans on the reconstruction of Oba Sekumade and Itamaga – Ijede road, it was a disappointment when the representatives of the Lagos State Government toured the ongoing reconstruction of Igbogbo road.
The Special Adviser on Works & Infrastructures, Engr. Aramide Adeyoye, led the Permanent Secretary and officials of the Ministry of Works & Infrastructures, on tour of the ongoing road projects in Ikorodu Division of Lagos State, Southwest, Nigeria, on Wednesday, February 3, 2021.
The ongoing projects toured by the Special Adviser were Oba Sekumade Road in Ikorodu West locxal Council Development Area (LCDA), Igbogbo/Bola Tinubu/Afa/Ijede road in Igbogbo/Bayeku LCDA and Itamaga – Ijede road in Ikorodu LG/Igbogbo/Bayeku and Ijede LCDA.
THE IMPACT also gathered that the team also visited ongoing road projects in Powerline, Eyita in Ikorodu LG and Agric/Owutu/Isawo road in Ikorodu West LCDA.
During the tour of the ongoing construction of the Igbogbo road in a convoy with the government’s team, THE IMPACT discovered that there was no construction activity from the Igbogbo burial ground axis where the project started through the Igbogbo township, Adeboruwa palace, Bola Ahmed Tinubu Way until except at Oreyo Secondary School/Agbalumo axis where the Hi-Tech expatriates and their workers converged.
At the Oreyo/Igbe axis, the workers of the construction company were seen clearing and filling the road to link Igbe road.
There was also ongoing construction of drainage at the Agbalumo axis by the contractor.
The Engineer, speaking during the visit by the Special Adviser, said that they have been trying to link up with the Engineer incharge of the Igbe/Oreyo rehabilitation work which was facilitated by the representative of the Ikorodu Federal Constituency at the House of Representatives, Hon. Babaijimi Benson.
He said that it is important that they interface with the Engineer to ensure that the project align at the Oreyo junction with what Hitech is doing.
Engr. Aramide, speaking, assured the Hi-Tech Engineers that they are in touch with the lawmaker that facilitated the Igbe project.
Addressing the Engineers whom she had earlier asked if there was any other issue adversely affecting their work but which they responded that there was none, the Special Adviser said that she is not impressed with the level of work done so far.
“I am not impressed at all with your work”, she said.
“Kabiyesi (Oba Semiudeen Kasali, the Adeboruwa of Igbogbo) always called me to express his displeasure at your every week”.
The team moved from the Oreyo/Agbalumo axis where there was also ongoing construction of drainage and where the Special Adviser spent close to 30 minutes observing and pointing out her concerns to a proposed site for a bridge at Afa.
After inspecting the axis with no sign of any tangible work done, alongside her team and HiTech engineers, Engr. Aramide declared that the contractor is far behind the schedule.
She expressed her displeasure at the level of work done so far, stating that it will be tough for residents of Igbogbo during the raining season.
“You are far behind the schedule”, she said disappointedly at the Afa axis of construction work.
“In all, I am only given you 10% because there is nothing on the ground”, she declared while scoring HiTech on its performance on Igbogbo road construction.
