The Oyo State Government has approved N9.9 billion for the reconstruction of Moniya-Iseyin road.
The contract was initially awarded by the Ajimobi government for N7bn, with the new administration saying the amount had to go up because of changes in design and fluctuations in prices.
The State Commissioner for Works and Transport, Prof. Rapheal Afonja, disclosed this to newsmen on Tuesday in Ibadan shortly after the state Executive Council meeting.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the contract, which was initially awarded at the cost of N7 billion by the immediate past administration of Sen. Abiola Ajimobi, was revoked by Gov. Seyi Makinde.
Makinde had terminated the contract due to what he called inconsistencies and underperformance of the contractor engaged by the Ajimobi administration.
The commissioner said that the new contract, awarded to Kopek, would be completed in 12 months, adding the road was important and would add value to the economy of the state.
“I must say that one of the things that were captured in the approval process is that this road will be completed in 12 months.
“We have selected a contractor that will be carrying out this project in the person of KOPEK and we are hoping that by the end of the week, they will mobilise to site and start work.
“So we look forward to getting this road completed by this time next years,” he said.
Afonja explained the reason for the increase in the contract sum from the initial N7 billion to N9.9 billion, saying that the company had reviewed the design to ensure quality.
“We made some changes in the design; we increased the stubbing cause from about 150mm to about 200mm, and we also changed the asphaltic wearing course from 40mm to 50mm.
“We also realise that there was inadequate provision for drainage system for that road in the initial design; we have changed that to ensure adequate drainage,” he said.
The commissioner said that fluctuations in terms of the price of materials were considered, adding that the projection that the road would last for a minimum of 10 years was also factored in.
