ABUJA— The Federal Government, yesterday, appealed to Nigerians to bear with the inconveniences being experienced as Messrs Julius Berger and Boroni Prono construction companies rapaired the failed portion of Oshodi-Apapa Expressway. It said the road would soon be motor-able again.

Minister of Works, Mr Mike Onolememena, made the appeal in a statement signed by his Media Assistant, Mr. Tony Ikpasaja, in Abuja.

The appeal came against the backdrop of the excruciating pains experienced by Nigerians and foreigners who throng the Apapa and Tin Can Ports among others.

However, commuters have faulted the Federal Government’s position that the road failed only at the Rainbow Bus stop section, maintaining that apart from the spot where Julius Berger was now rehabilitating, other bad stop spots can be found at Ilasamaja, Cele, Jakande Gate, Mile Two, Berger Yard and Berger Cement up to the Tin Can Island Port and also link the Murtala Muhammed International Airport among other areas.

They  insisted that the entire expressway, which was built over 30 years ago and was inspected last week by the Minister, had completely failed, stressing that the only solution was to re-construct it because of the heavy duty vehicles that plied the road as well as the terrain of Lagos as a coastal state.

The Minister’s message entitled “Emergency repair work begins on Oshodi-Apapa expressway,” read in part: “Following the directive of the  Minister of Works, Arc Mike Onolememen, last Thursday over reports of a failed section of the Oshodi-Apapa Expressway causing commuters untold hardship, Julius Berger Plc has commenced full work from the Rainbow area on the road to give respite to members of the public plying the road.

‘’The failed section by Rainbow area, when going to Oshodi, had last week caused many Nigerians innumerable man-hours as vehicles had to be diverted into the other lane resulting in severe traffic jam.”

‘’Arc Onolememen quickly swung into action as he deployed emergency restoration plan for Messrs Julius Berger Plc and Boroni Prono to move in and restore the road first, to ease the traffic jam on the route, before executing the main works within the scope of the subsisting contracts.

‘’While many Nigerians are commending the prompt response of the Ministry of Works in this regard, it is considerable to call for their patience as the Honourable Minister, who himself is also a trained Construction/Project Manager, is personally on top of the situation to ensure that the failed portion is quickly fixed as soon as possible.

‘’He therefore, enjoins Nigerians using the road to bear with the contractors, Julius Berger Plc and Boroni Prono, who are currently repairing the failed sections, in order to make the road usable for all motorists.’’