Lagos – The Federal Government has directed the contractor handling the construction of the Seventh Axial Road, stretching from the Dangote Refinery in Lagos State to Sagamu in Ogun, to complete sandfilling works before the end of April.
The directive underscores the urgency attached to the strategic project, which is expected to boost industrial access and regional connectivity once completed.
The Minister of Works, Sen. Dave Umahi, gave the directive on Saturday in Lagos while inspecting the project.
“I want to see a situation in which we have completed all the filling with sand and then, we will start the concrete structure, but not the pavement,” Umahi said.
The road is among the proposed routes for evacuating cargoes from the Lekki Deep Sea Port.
The proposed Lagos State International Airport is on that corridor.
The project is being handled by China Harbour Engineering Company.
Umahi noted that the Federal Government had made 30 per cent counterpart funding available for Lots One and Two of the project.
“The contractor is supposed to mobilise 70 per cent of foreign loans in dollars,” he said.
According to him, the 25km dual carriageway will be tolled when completed.
“Yes, the project is taking off, but the work that is ongoing is no work as far as I am concerned. It is just clearing,” Umahi said.
According to him, a major aspect of the work is the sandfilling. He directed that the right procedure must be followed.
Umahi said concrete pavement would begin in November. “This strict timetable must be adhered to. I am also directing the resident engineer: within the next two weeks, I want to see 90 per cent of the equipment on site – the equipment in your bid document.
“We need to see where you are getting your sand dredging. Sand dredging needs to start now,” he said.
