Julius Berger, the contractor handling section one rehabilitation/reconstruction of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway has listed some factors responsible for slowing down completion of the road contract awarded over five years ago.

The construction company was responding to a directive by works minister Babatunde Fashola to speed up construction ahead of the Yuletide.

Mr. Fashola has while inspecting the highway on Saturday, told the Julius Berger team after taking their project presentations to hurry construction ahead of the Yuletide.

He urged the contractors to liaise with the Federal Controllers of Works in Lagos and Ogun States towards fixing important sections to make the road motorable, safe and free of traffic congestion.

The minister also urged the firm to improve the quality and spread of signages and diversion signs around the construction zone and accelerate work towards Christmas celebration.

Mr. Fashola urged the contractors whose section spanned from Ojota in Lagos to Sagamu Interchange to make the construction wear a ‘human face’ that addressed hardship of road users.

“Understand that you do it for people and we want a sense of compassion. Plan with the controllers of Lagos and Ogun,” he said.

In their presentation the Managing Director, Julius Berger, Lars Richters alongside his project manager, Thomas Christl took turns to explain efforts to speed up construction in spite of reckless driving and high traffic volume.

The duo also explained progress recorded on bridges and other construction on various sections of the highway.

The firm also raised issues of ‘Right of Way Compensations’ that were yet to be paid, thereby slowing down construction on some sections.

The firm lamented impatience of road users compounding gridlock on the highway.

“Here we are on good progress,” the project manager said.