Minister of Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola (SAN) on Wednesday said that the full reconstruction of the much-talked Lagos-Sango-Ota-Abeokuta expressway would cost the federal government N56 billion.
Fashola, who said the Federal Government was not ignoring the deplorable condition of the road, noted that the government was still committed to fixing the road as a total of N13.4 billion had been approved for immediate commencement of “palliatives”.
The Minister, while speaking in company with Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State at the inspection of Sagamu Interchange Bridges on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, said the federal government was ready to borrow money to fix the deplorable road, which had sparked several protests by residents and motorists.
He added that the cost of reconstructing the entire road was put at N56 billion and the federal government would start the capital project first, with the reconstruction of failed portions, which would serve as palliative measures costing N13.4 billion.
“We are not looking away on the condition of Ota/Abeokuta road unlike some people are saying. The federal government in conjunction with Ogun State Government was committed towards fixing the road.
‘Works would soon start to do palliative work on the failed portions and which shall be reconstructed, so that when reconstruction of the entire road starts, it would not amount to waste of money, but a mere joining the portion to link each other.
He, however, asked both governors of Ogun and Lagos, Dapo Abiodun and Babajide Sanwo-Olu, respectively to prevail on the members of both Chambers of the National Assembly, representing the two states, to influence and speak in favour of the road, when debates on the 2022 budget proposal starts.