Lagos – The indiscriminate parking  of vehicles, especially articulated ones along the Apapa-Oshodi Expressway has been identified as one  of the challenges hampering its rehabilitation.

Mr Ejike Mgbemena, Controller of Works, Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, Lagos Office, disclosed on Tuesday in his office on Tuesday.

He said those involved in the illegal parking were the trucks loading at the Apapa Port and vehicles belonging to some of the big companies located along the busy road.

“Some have converted part of the road to shops and illegal shanties for selling, thus obstructing the right of ways.

“We also have the problem of car dealers around Berger Yard that display their vehicles for sale on the road and under the bridge loop,’’ Mgbemena said.

He said that part of the project was to refurbish the loops completely.

He noted that the vehicles and trucks had to be removed by their owners and the dealers before the construction work could commence.

According to the controller, the contract for the rehabilitation of the expressway had been awarded to Borino Prono and Julius Berger Construction Companies.

He said that on completion, commuters plying the route would heave a sigh of relief.

“Apapa Port Gate  up to Coconut Bus Stop has been awarded to  Boroni Prono Nig. Ltd., while  the second lot is being handled by Julius Berger  Plc,’’ he said.

Mgbemena said that though skeletal services had begun on the road, he could not give a time frame when the contractors would complete the project because of the obstructions.

He, however, said that there was a stipulated period for the completion contained in the contract signed between the ministry and the Federal Government.

He said that the ministry was collaborating with the Lagos State Government to ensure right of way, which he said would facilitate the contractors to move to site with ease.

“Gov.  (Babatunde) Fashola is giving us all the necessary support and has instituted an inter-ministerial committee.

“It comprises representatives of the Federal Ministry of Works, the State Ministries of Works and Transportation and the Berger Yard car dealers association to solve the problem,” he added.

Mgbemena also said that the Federal Government had awarded the contract for the rehabilitation of the Lagos –Abeokuta Express road to Julius Berger.

“The contract covers  Ile Zik Bus Stop  and Sango Bridge; when it is finished you are going to see a new Lagos,’’ he said.

He also said that the rehabilitation of the NNPC Depot Road from Iyana  Ejigbo in Isolo area of Lagos would be given priority in the 2011 budgetary provisions.

“Also, we will be working on the Mile 12 to Ikorodu Roundabout and from Ikorodu to Shagamu in Ogun state.

“I have a contractor on the Mile 12 –Ikorodu road now,’’ he said.

The Lagos State Government recently declared its intention to expand the Mile 12-Ikorodu road, so that it could introduce the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) buses.

The controller explained that the BRT lanes’ construction from Mile 12 to Ikorodu would begin after the Federal Government’s contractor would have completed its own job.

“The Federal Government is not against the Lagos Government plans. It is part of the progress and development we are all agitating for in the state,’’ he said.

Mgbemena also declared  that the Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA) would start another round of routine maintenance work on the Third Mainland Bridge in Lagos before the end of June. (NAN)