The Agbara-Seme border segment of the Lagos-Badagry highway project would receive N15 billion from the NNPC tax credit fund, according to the Federal Controller of Works in Lagos, Olukayode Popoola.
On Sunday, Popoola told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that the intervention funding would expedite the ongoing road reconstruction.
According to NAN, the 46-kilometer highway was awarded to CGC Construction Company in October 2018 for N63.2 billion.
The Lagos-Badagry expressway is one of 21 roads chosen for funding by the NNPC under the Tax Credit Scheme.
“The NNPC fund that is on its way is worth about N15 billion.” It will be used in the section where the CGC is working from Agbara to the Seme border.
“The contractor has never left the site; they are still on site and working as we speak,” the controller explained.
He could not, however, confirm whether the N15 billion NNPC Tax Credit fund had been released, stating that funding issues are handled by accountants.
Popoola stated that the last SUKUK funds allocated to the project were still active, and that the project was progressing and nearing completion.
According to him, approximately 14 kilometers of drainage work had been completed, as well as six kilometers of main carriageway completed to the final layers.
He stated that the Federal Government used alternative funding sources, such as the SUKUK and NNPC Tax Credit scheme, to address the project’s funding constraints.
“The rate of progress will accelerate in 2022,” he predicted.
He stated that sections one, three, and four of the ongoing Apapa-Oshodi-Ojota-Oworonshoki Expressway reconstruction/rehabilitation project had reached 90% completion.
He stated that major work on the three sections had been completed and that the lanes had been opened to traffic, adding that only lane markings and street light installations remained to be completed.
According to NAN, section one of the project extends from Apapa Port Gate to the Beach Land Estate Bus Stop area, while section three extends from the Cele Bus Stop to Anthony.
The fourth section of the Apapa-Oshodi-Ojota-Oworonshoki Expressway project runs from Anthony Bus Stop to the Ojota Bus Stop area.
He stated that construction speed would no longer be hampered because the initial challenges of trucks and port congestion, which had slowed the project for about six months, had been resolved.