*As FG orders April completion of sandfilling
Work has started on the Seventh Axial Road behind the Dangote Refinery, linking the Lekki Deep Sea Port corridor to Sagamu, Ogun.
The Engineer’s Representative, Mr Damola Oyeneye, told the Minister of Works, Sen. Dave Umahi, that the contractor had mobilised to site.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) Oyeneye spoke during Umahi’s inspection tour on Saturday.
NAN reports that China Harbour Engineering Company is the contractor executing the project.
“We have cleared six kilometres. Of the 12km stretch, about four kilometres are swampy, while the remainder is dry farmland.
“We are currently undertaking deep soil cleaning and sandfilling,” Oyeneye said.
Mr Musa Saidu, a director at the Ministry of Works, said clearing had started from the coastal road under Lot One.
“They will begin filling on the alignment, which will be rigid pavement. The work, as seen, is progressing well,” he said.
Mr Wang Jijun, Project Manager, said the firm is handling Lot One, covering site clearing, backfilling and topsoil removal.
“We have 33 units on site, but more than 120 pieces of equipment will be deployed,” Wang said.
He said lagoon sand would be sourced under four licences, following testing, to avoid community and ecological disruption.
Dr Eugene Itua of Natural Ecocapital said the project is registered with the environment ministry, with interim clearance approved and ESIA disclosure imminent.
He added that lagoon-crossing modelling and community engagement are ongoing.
SANDFILLING
The Federal Government has directed the contractor handling construction of the Seventh Axial Road – from Dangote Refinery in Lagos State to Sagamu in Ogun, to complete filling with sand before the end of April.
The Minister of Works, Sen. Dave Umahi, gave the directive on Saturday in Lagos while inspecting the project.
“I want to see a situation in which we have completed all the filling with sand and then, we will start concrete structure, but not the pavement,” Umahi said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the road is one of the proposed routes for evacuating cargoes from the Lekki Deep Sea Port.
The proposed Lagos State International Airport is on that corridor.
The project is being handled by China Harbour Engineering Company.
Umahi noted that the Federal Government had made 30 per cent counterpart funding for Lots One and Two of the project.
“The contractor is supposed to mobilise 70 per cent foreign loans in dollars” he said.
According to him, the 25km dual carriageway will be tolled when completed.
“Yes, the project is taking off but the work that is ongoing is no work as far as I am concerned. It is just clearing,” Umahi said.
According to him, a major aspect of the work is the sandfilling.
He directed that the right procedure must be followed.
Umahi said that concrete pavement would be expected to start from November.
“This strict timetable must be adhered to. I am also directing the resident engineer: within the next two weeks, I want to see 90 per cent of equipment on site – the equipment in your bid document.
“We need to see where you are getting your sand dredging. Sand dredging needs to start now,” he said.
