Minister of Works, David Umahi, has directed the contractor handling the reconstruction of the Ibadan-Ife-Ilesa Expressway to temporarily suspend work on part of the project and review its pavement mixture specifications before continuing construction.
Umahi issued the directive on Sunday during an inspection tour of the Osun State section of the highway project.
The visit was attended by federal lawmakers and other stakeholders involved in the road’s reconstruction.
Addressing the contractor, CBC Global Civil and Building Construction, the minister instructed the company to examine the pavement mixture being used at another project location and adopt best practices before resuming work.
“Go and check that mixture and then resume your work,” Umahi told the contractor.
He also ordered the firm to reduce the pace of work on the main carriageway and immediately deploy two separate teams to focus on the construction of the road’s outer and inner shoulders.
According to the minister, completing the shoulders is critical to the long-term durability of the highway, particularly at vulnerable sections of the project.
Umahi expressed dissatisfaction with aspects of the project’s supervision and warned that he could remove the Federal Controller of Works in Osun State if identified shortcomings were not addressed promptly.
The minister revealed that he had already redeployed several controllers of works in other states and was considering establishing a professional retraining programme within the ministry for underperforming officials.
“I have removed a number of controllers in some states, starting with my own state. I am going to create a classroom in my ministry and bring professionals into it. Those I am removing from sites will be learning every day. When you pass, we deploy you back to the site,” he said.
Umahi particularly questioned the issuance of a N2.8 billion palliative works certificate, stating that he had not seen evidence that the approved intervention had been properly carried out on the road.
“I am on this road, and I have not seen where the palliative was done, but you already gave a palliative certificate of N2.8 billion,” he said.
The minister gave the official 24 hours to withdraw the certificate and directed the contractor to undertake the palliative repairs in line with the approved specifications.
He stressed that all failed and cracked sections of the highway must be milled and properly rehabilitated to eliminate potholes and ensure a smooth driving experience for road users.
Umahi further instructed the contractor to apply a binder layer where necessary and emphasised that accountability would remain a key requirement for all parties involved in the project.
“My friendship is based on the work. I don’t have a permanent friend or a permanent enemy. We have to take responsibility for what the public has asked us to do,” he said.
The minister also ordered the immediate removal of heavy-duty trucks parked on sections of the newly constructed concrete pavement, warning that prolonged loading could weaken the road structure over time.
“I am giving you 24 hours to clear them and never let it happen again. The moment you have those things parked, it generates internal stress on the concrete,” he said.
He added that solar streetlights planned for the corridor should be installed only after the road shoulders are completed to ensure proper execution of the project.
Despite his criticisms, Umahi commended CBC Global Civil and Building Construction for its commitment to the project, noting that the company had continued work despite outstanding government payments.
According to him, the contractor is handling about 108 kilometres of the highway and has already completed approximately 70 kilometres, maintaining an average construction pace of one kilometre per day.
