Bi-Courtney Resumes Work On Lagos-Ibadan Expressway

28 June 2011

Work on the reconstruction and modernisation of Lagos Ibadan Expressway is set to commence, the concessionaire, Bi-Courtney High-way Services Limited, assured, yesterday.

The assurance followed recent media reports on delay in the project concessioned since 2009.

Bi-Courtney’s Head of Communications and Media Relations, Mr. Dipo Kehinde,told reporters that the delay could in no way be blamed on the company, and was due largely to the bureaucracy of having its design approved as required by the terms of the concession.

He further explained that the concession is on Design-Build-Operate-Transfer (DBOT) basis, adding that the company needed to get its design approved by the Federal Ministry of Works before work could commence, and the approval was only given on May 10 because of frequent changes of Ministers.

Kehinde said: “Now that the final design has been approved, we are embarking on restoration work to ease the pains of motorists, and our men have moved out to start the basic things now. We have also secured the funds needed, though not from Nigeria. Money is not an issue. We are ready to start work full blast, once the rainy season is over. As you know, there is no way you can build roads during the rains.”

He assured Nigerians that Bi-Courtney would deliver a first-class project that it has become noted for, arguing that the project was given to the company in the first instance because of its track record.

“Every project that we have been given in this country, we were not given because government liked the face of Bi-Courtney, but, it has been based on our track record. Every project we have executed has always been first-class. Something people will see and say, we have never seen anything like this. Take the construction of the MMA2 as an example, among many others. I can assure you, on my honor, that this road will be a reference point in Nigeria,” he said.

Up until now, he said, all the company had been doing on the road, in form of minor repairs and construction of parks for trailers, and trucks, were palliative measures, which it was doing as a form of social responsibility.

He also explained that the issue of setback, which has been extended from 45 meters to 60 meters in the approved design, was being taken care of and would not affect the pace of work on the project. Initially, the setback on each side of the road was about 45 meters, necessitating the demolition of all structures – including petrol stations, banks and private residences within the range – and payment of compensation by the government to the owners.

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