Lagos doles out N5.5b to council roads’ contractors

To kick-start construction activities on proposed councils’ roads in the metropolis, Lagos State Government has disbursed the sum of N5.563 billion to successful contractors, who bidded for the project last year.The benefiting contractors were among the over 1,000 building and civil engineering contractors, who tendered for the road contracts last year.

In the road projects, being bankrolled by the government, at least three roads are selected from the 20 local councils and 37 local council development areas in the state.Although names of the successful contractors were not made public, the State Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Mr. Ade Akinsanya said, the roads would be constructed in phases.“Phase one will see the construction of one road each in the local government and Local council development areas, of which contractors have been mobilised to move to site immediately.

“To enhance immediate mobilisation to site, 30 per cent has been given to all the contractors upfront,’ he noted.The commissioner stressed that the sum of N5.563, 697,382.00 released, was 30 per cent payment for the construction of the 57 roads, while the total cost of the roads stands at N18.545billion.

Some of the roads earmarked for construction include Ilesha Road
 in Itire-Ikate local council development area; Ikereku/Adetola Street and Folashade Street, Alakuko in Ojokoro LCDA; Modele/Matthew Street
in Surulere Local council; Ajakaye Road/College Road in Ojo Local council; Alaba Rago
 road in Iba local council development area; Ifoshi Street in Oshodi/ Isolo local council and Taiwo/Tapa Street road in Bariga local council development area.

According to him, the money released was in fulfillment of the government’s promise to open up more inner roads across the state.The commissioner, who disclosed the disbursement in a statement, informed that there were 57 contractors involved in the first phase of the construction with a mandate to deliver in six months.He said due process was observed in awarding the contracts, adding that bids were opened in November 2017, after which they were evaluated and considered.

“ Ambode is totally committed to ensuring that Lagosians continue to enjoy good governance. There are many projects going on simultaneously across the state and the roads to be constructed will further open up these areas for economic prosperity,” Akinsanya said.He urged residents to continue to pay their taxes promptly to enable the government meet up with its target to complete all ongoing.

Source disclosed that the government cancelled the first exercise because it was also careful to avoid previous experience, where contractors were called back to site to put finishing works on roads even after delivery.The delay in the process was also affected by the preparation to the last local council elections as well as the need to painstakingly select contracting firms, who can deliver on promise.

It was gathered that the road construction, which include drainages, streetlights, and walkways is expected to last for six months and cover all the local councils and council development areas in the state.But The Guardian learnt that the governor jettisoned the previous process because acting and caretaker committee chairmen did them.

Sources told The Guardian that the new bid, which opened last November received inputs from the newly elected local council chairmen, as it was expedient for proper coordination.But many contractors had expressed disappointments over the outcome conducted at the Ministry of the Local government, which was coordinating it with Works and the Attorney General.