A palliative certificate of N2.8 billion for the yet-to-be-executed reconstruction work on the Ibadan-Ife-Ilesha Expressway has drawn the ire of the Minister of Works, David Umahi, who directed the withdrawal of the certificate.
   
Umahi, who expressed dissatisfaction with the quality of the job, has criticised the Osun State Controller of Works for certifying the work, and further directed the contractor, CBC Global Civil and Building Construction Limited, to genuinely undertake the palliative.
   
The minister, Umahi, who spoke during an inspection tour to the site, frowned at the potholes, even as he reminded the contractor that the agreement involves milling all the failed and cracked sections of the carriageway and putting a binder.         
   
Eventually, he suspended the reconstruction work, citing quality breach, particularly the mixture of materials being used, as well as improper certification. He directed the contractor to temporarily suspend work and collaborate with project controllers at Papalanto to verify the approved mixture before resuming operations.
   
He also instructed the contractor to slow down work on the main carriageway and focus on the construction of inner and outer shoulders to improve structural stability, stating that completed sections must meet all required standards, including shoulder work, before it is opened for use.
   
The minister further directed the immediate removal of heavy trucks parked on the newly constructed concrete sections, noting that such development could compromise the integrity of the road through internal structural stress.
   
Furthermore, he issued a 27-day deadline for the completion of solar lighting installations along the corridor, warning that contractors who fail to meet the timeline would be removed from the project.
   
However, the minister also commended CBC, describing the firm as one of the most reliable Chinese construction companies in Nigeria. He noted that in spite of the payment delays, the company had completed approximately 70 kilometres out of the 108-kilometre stretch, maintaining an average pace of one kilometre per day.
   
Meanwhile, to improve road safety and protect the environment, Umahi announced plans for tree planting along the road shoulders, to be carried out in collaboration with local representatives from Ibadan, Osun and Ife.
   
The initiative, he said, will involve planting teak trees at five-metre intervals, with maintenance guaranteed for one year.