Contractor targets May for completion of Pen Cinema project

The Contractor handling construction work on the Pen Cinema fly-over bridge project, HITECH Construction Company Limited, has assured residents of completing the road by May 2019.

Project Manager on site, Mr. Willie Barkhuisen disclosed this during a technical visit to the construction site by members of the Nigerian Society of Engineers, Ikeja Branch and officials of the Lagos Ministry of Works and Infrastructure.

He explained that about 264 pile works needed for the project has been successfully put in place saying that when the project is completed; it has the capacity to last for more than 50years.

The 1.4km Flyover, which runs from Agege to the Abeokuta Expressway, is expected to address the perennial traffic often associated with the Agege community.

Mr. Barkhuisen said, “We will endeavour to deliver it by May next year. We sourced material like cement locally, got others from overseas. 85 per cent of the materials were locally sourced”.

He commended the community for their support, describing it as,’ The best so far seen”.

Speaking on the tour, the chairman of Ikeja branch of NSE, Mrs. Olufunmilade Akingbagbohun commended the Lagos State government for initiating the project, stressing that the visit was to look at the quality of work and certify the bridge for use by residents.

Akingbagohun said the project is also a sort of exposure for members because apart from the Lagos State engineers that are on the project, there is a consultant working on it who is from Germany and so it is an opportunity to learn new ideas/ innovations .

“We decided to bring in our members to contribute our quota to what the Lagos state government is doing. Most of our registered engineers are also working on the project to ensure that we have bridge that wouldn’t collapse.

“Engineers are distributed to different projects within the metropolis, we have some working on the Pen Cinema project and others on Airport Road reconstruction works as well as the hinterlands. We are impressed with the quality of the works and the local content put into the project. We are happy to know that there are bye-passes that would ease the traffic and bring a lasting solution to the people of Agege and people from Abule Egba area”, she added.

Also, a representative of the Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Works and Infrastructure, Mrs. Abiola Kosegbe, said the project when completed, would bring economic relief and improve property value in Agege.