Tinubu Approves Concrete Reconstruction of Lagos-Ibadan Expressway

President Bola Tinubu has approved the reconstruction of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway using reinforced concrete pavement, alongside a series of major road infrastructure projects across the country.

The minister of works, David Umahi, disclosed the approvals on Thursday during a media briefing in Abuja, where he also announced the extension of the Fourth Legacy Highway by an additional 400 kilometres, increasing its total length from about 700 kilometres to approximately 1,100 kilometres.

According to the minister, the President also approved the completion of the long-abandoned Ibi Bridge in Taraba State, the construction of the 5.76-kilometre Lau Bridge across the Benue River, and the dualisation of another 400 kilometres of the East-West Road corridor.

Umahi described the approvals as a significant step in the Federal Government’s infrastructure renewal programme, saying they would strengthen national integration, improve regional connectivity and stimulate economic growth.

He said the latest decisions underscored Tinubu’s commitment to delivering legacy infrastructure projects across all geopolitical zones.

Speaking on the Fourth Legacy Highway, the minister revealed that Tinubu granted approval for the additional 400-kilometre extension on Wednesday.

“The greatest story is that yesterday, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu approved the addition of 400 kilometres to our Fourth Legacy Road. That is unprecedented,” Umahi said.

He explained that the expanded route would pass through Taraba State, creating stronger transport links between the North-Central and North-East regions.

According to him, the highway would traverse several notable communities before terminating in Taraba.

“That project will pass through the place of General Gowon. It will pass through the place of Solomon Lar. It will pass through the place of the present National Chairman of the APC. It goes down to Taraba, and that is unprecedented,” he added.

The Fourth Legacy Highway was initially designed as a dual carriageway linking Akwanga in Nasarawa State to Maiduguri in Borno State through Plateau, Bauchi, Gombe and Biu. The newly approved extension will further stretch the corridor into Taraba State.

Umahi also said Tinubu approved the complete reconstruction of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway after portions of the highway showed signs of deterioration less than five years after undergoing rehabilitation.

He maintained that the development justified his ministry’s preference for reinforced concrete pavement over asphalt on major federal highway.

“The President approved yesterday the reconstruction of the Lagos-Ibadan Road, and that is the justification for our fight for the use of reinforced concrete pavement,” he said.

The minister explained that repeated maintenance efforts had failed to address the deterioration of the asphalt pavement.

“It is 135 kilometres by two carriageways. That project is not up to five years old, yet it has already started failing. We took journalists there. We took members of the National Assembly there. You could see the road failing. They repaired it, and it still failed,” he stated.

He added that reconstructing the road with reinforced concrete pavement would provide a long-lasting solution.

“The answer is to reconstruct it using reinforced concrete pavement that will last between 50 and 100 years, maintenance-free,” Umahi said.

The minister further disclosed that Tinubu approved the completion of the Ibi Bridge project in Taraba State, which was awarded in 2018 but abandoned after reaching about 40 per cent completion.

“That bridge was awarded in 2018, got to about 40 per cent completion and was abandoned. Yesterday, the President approved the review and completion of the Ibi Bridge in Taraba State,” he said.

Umahi also announced presidential approval for the design, procurement and construction of the 5.76-kilometre Lau Bridge across the Benue River.

“The Lau Bridge in Taraba State, which is 5.76 kilometres across the river, the President approved that it should be designed, procured and awarded,” he said.

On the East-West Road, the minister said Tinubu approved the dualisation of another 400 kilometres of the corridor stretching from Lokoja to Benin.

“The President also approved 400 kilometres of dualised East-West Road running from Lokoja down to Benin. This is another very important intervention in our road infrastructure,” Umahi stated.

He added that the project would enhance road safety, reduce travel time and facilitate trade along one of the country’s busiest transport routes.