By Shina Abubakar, Osogbo

The contractor handling the Ife-Ilesa section of the Ife-Ilesa-Ibadan Expressway has resumed work on the reconstruction of the highway after complying with directives issued by the Minister of Works, David Umahi.

Umahi had, during an inspection visit on June 21, directed the contractor, CBC Global Civil and Building Construction Nigeria Limited, to suspend work over concerns about the concrete pavement mix and instructed the company to understudy the process at another project site. He also raised concerns over the issuance of a ₦2.8 billion certificate for palliative works, saying there was no evidence of the work at the time of the inspection.

Speaking with journalists at the project site in Ikire, the Project Manager of CBC, Engr. Anjikwi Kaizhi, said the company had addressed all the issues raised by the minister, leading to the resumption of construction.

According to him, the contractor studied the recommended concrete mixing process at another project site and implemented the necessary corrections.

“The Minister of Works visited the site and made recommendations concerning the concrete mixture. We have since visited another company to study the process, made the required corrections and can assure you that everything is now in order,” he said.

Kaizhi expressed confidence in the quality of the project, stating that the concrete pavement was designed for durability.

He disclosed that the project has a completion period of three years and that about 65 per cent of the work had been completed approximately seven months after construction commenced.

On the palliative works, Kaizhi said damaged sections of the alternative carriageway had been repaired to ease traffic movement while work continues on the main carriageway.

He added that the temporary repairs were intended to improve safety and ensure smoother vehicular movement during the reconstruction period.

Also speaking, the Area Manager of CBC, Engr. Yuan Kaizhi, said the road project covers a distance of 108.4 kilometres.