The Federal Ministry of Works has assured Nigerians that the Akure-Ikere road dualisation project will be ready for inauguration by President Bola Tinubu in December.
Engr. Olajide Hussein, the Federal Controller of Works in Ondo State, provided this assurance in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria on Sunday in Akure.
Hussein clarified that the 15-km Phase 1 of the Akure-Ita Ogbolu-Iju-Ikere road dualisation will be completed and inaugurated by the President in December.
He mentioned that Phase 1 of the project has a budget of N19 billion, while Phase 2 is projected to cost N23 billion.
He explained that the Ministry’s policy is to execute road projects in phases to allow road users to continue using one lane while the contractor works on the second lane.
Hussein also commended the Minister of Works, Engr. Dave Umahi, for his determination to ensure the project stays on schedule.
“Phase 1 covers a 15-km single carriageway from Akure to the Ekiti State border with a 3-km gap in between. The total distance from Akure to the Ikere-Ekiti boundary is 18.438 km,” he said.
“Phase 1 will not cover the full 18 km, but we expect the contractor to finish the entire stretch by December for President Tinubu to inaugurate it.”
Hussein explained that this approach ensures smooth, continuous traffic flow between Akure and Ikere while the second lane (Phase 2) is being worked on.
He added that the Ministry’s policy is to first construct one lane when dualising a road, to address traffic concerns before constructing the second lane.
Praising the contractor’s work, Hussein noted that the only major challenge during construction was the removal of buildings—both temporary and permanent structures. He thanked the property owners for their cooperation in removing their structures, with support from the state government.
