By Jennifer Y Omiloli
Transportation Minister Rotimi Amaechi expressed dissatisfaction with the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation’s slow pace of work on the Lagos end of the Lagos-Ibadan railway standard gage.
He accused the contractor of refusing to mobilize his staff to site on the pretext that some sub-contractors were unable to supply the portion of their work.
Amaechi spoke during a $1.5 billion standard gauge rail project inspection in Ologun-Eru State area on Tuesday.
He said, “If I say I am impressed with the CCECC on the Lagos axis of this project, then I am lying. We are just not there in the Lagos area at all.
“We have resolved all the crises in Lagos; and I must commend the Lagos State Water Corporation people for resolving the water pipeline issue, which constituted a major hindrance to the project. After the resolution of this issue, the CCECC has refused to mobilise to site in Lagos.”
On excuses given by the contractor for the delay, Amaechi stated, “The CCECC gave reasons for the slow pace of work at the Lagos end. They claimed that the jobs given to some of the sub-contractors were not met. For instance, the person relocating the water pipes was expected to finish that by November 2; but now the person is asking for additional two months to complete that.
“The excuse given by the sub-contractor is that there are other issues that have to be solved before the water pipes can be relocated. For me, this excuse, although tenable, is not excusable. There is a need for them to speed up because the speed between part of Ogun and Ibadan is encouraging; but the speed from Apapa to Ebute-Meta and to some other parts of Lagos is discouraging. The solution to the water pipelines has been found, but relocation is what is delaying us now.”
On the December deadline given to the contractor to complete the project, the minister explained, “Don’t forget this is a three-year project that we are trying to complete within a year. As I speak, there are only three bridges remaining to be completed between Abeokuta and Ibadan. Between Ogun and Lagos, there are just few bridges remaining to be completed. We will keep putting pressure on them to make sure that the project is completed quickly.”
