Fulfilling his promise, Mr. Okey-Joe Onuakalusi, the representative of Oshodi/Isolo Federal Constituency II in the House of Representatives, has confronted the contractor responsible for the Isolo/Ejigbo Road Reconstruction project.
The project, which began in January 2023 with a completion deadline of June 2024, has unfortunately fallen behind schedule due to the slow progress.
Echonews gathered that the delay has raised concerns among motorists, residents, and other invested parties about the contractor’s ability to successfully complete the project.
In response to the escalating worries about the sluggish pace of work, Onuakalusi visited the project site as planned to express his dissatisfaction with the complaints raised by residents and stakeholders.
Isolo residents were relieved when the lawmaker paid a visit, as many had previously criticized him for being inaccessible. Accompanied by the Special Adviser on Works to Isolo LCDA council chairman, the lawmaker arrived at the project site with a group of individuals.
He expressed frustration at the poor progress of the project, highlighting the economic significance of the road to various communities.
“The 18 months duration for the project has lapsed since last month and there is no hope that the job can be completed before December. Hence, we are here today to have on-the-spot assessment and to find out possible challenges mitigating against the completion of the project” the lawmaker said in his remark.
Engr. Folorunsho Ogundele attributed the delay in the project to the recent heavy rains, noting that it was beyond their control.
He mentioned that the rising cost of materials had led to a review of the project’s design and cost. Additionally, he assured that the project would be done on concrete surfacing for durability, considering the heavy-duty vehicles expected to use the road.
On the floodings being experienced in some areas, Engr. Ogundele said this would normalize as soon as the drainage is completed and linked straight to Oke-Afa Canal.
However, a community leader, Mr. Sunday Olaifa pleaded for adequate attention on the link roads captured in the project documents even as he called for compensation to be paid to those affected by flooding caused by the on-going project.
To this, Onuakalusi requested letters and petitions from those affected to be adressed to the local government. “We expect the local government to capture these petitions in their report to the Ministry of Works and Housing where we would request for some compensation because we cannot be building roads at the detriment of our houses,” .Onuakalusi remarked.
He therefore pleaded with the contractor to hasten up on the project which he said must be completed latest December 2024.
