‘People must feel relieved’: FG threatens takeover of 50% Ibadan–Ilesha Expressway contract

The Federal Government says it will take over 50 per cent of the contract for rehabilitation and expansion of the Ibadan-Ilesha Expressway if the contractor fails to abide by instructions.

The Minister of Works, David Umahi, gave warning during an inspection of the project on Wednesday, January 14, 2026.

Umahi said though the contractor was doing well, the government would not hesitate to reduce the scope of the contract if immediate palliative work on the failed portions of the road was not carried out.

Umahi said: “They are doing well because they are working on 216km of road. However, they should understand their capacity.

“If they don’t do what I am about to issue, then I will take over 108km of the road; that is one full carriageway.

“I want to see full five gangs doing the concrete work. The first gang has to work from chainage zero to chainage 25, both sides, which is 50km.”

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The minister stated that the other four gangs should work on other failed portions of the road providing palliatives.

He also warned that the government would not pay for any earthwork on the road, saying: “I have seen that CBC is producing works for themselves. There is no need for this entire earthwork they are doing. The earthwork will come after the concrete is laid.

“All that we need when we come to this road is to go to the shoulder. We have inner shoulder, which is 1.5, and outer shoulder, which is 2.75. There is no need of removing it and bringing back another laterite.

“They are making works for themselves and I will not pay for it.”

Umahi, however, commended the contractor for tackling the flooded sections.

“The palliative work must start and I will pay for the asphalt work. I will use counterpart funds to pay for it. I want people to feel relieved on this road,” the minister said.

The Star