Non-release of funds is stalling the commencement of re-construction of the Lagos- Ibadan expressway, an official of the Federal Ministry of Works has said.
Mr Joshua Popoola, a Deputy Director, Federal Ministry of Works, saidss in Lagos on Thursdaythat the non release of funds by the Infrastructure Bank was delaying the take off of the project.
Popoola, who is the engineer in charge of the project, however, said that funding for the project was currently undergoing due process.
President Goodluck Jonathan had flagged off the re-construction of the expressway on July 5.
Popoola said that action would be expedited on the project as soon as all the documents and agreements were completed between the two parties.
“The signing of agreement between the Infrastructure Bank and the Federal Government is on and it is only when the process is completed that funds can be released.
“They have to go through all the contract documents and understand everything in detail.
“It is after signing the document that mobilisation funds would be released to the contractors.“
The deputy director, however, explained that the two contractors on the projects, Julius Berger and RCC Nigeria Ltd, had begun construction of their site offices.
He said that the contractors had built their asphalt plants and other plants and were also moving their equipment to site.
Popoola appealed to road users to be patient while on the road, adding that full reconstruction would soon commence.