Members of The Nigerian Institution of Highway and Transportation Engineers (NIHTE ) visited Oyo State Podo – Apata road project being handled by KOPEK Nig. Ltd on Thursday 20th May 2021.
The visit was an eventful occasion as it coincided with a scheduled visit of the same project by the State Director of Highways, Engr Emmanuel Akinpade, his deputy Engr Olukunmi Akintayo, Deputy director of Highway department and Engr Aleilo the project Engineers’ Representative who were duly received by Engr Issam, KOPEK Managing Director and Engr Hafouch, the Regional Manager at the junction site.
In attendance to receive NIHTE members was Engr Ayman, the Contractor’s Project Manager. Engr Ayman explained that the road is a dual carriage way.
He added that it has 10.5m width either side with an overall distance of 11.9Km and divided into two sections reflecting scope of work.
The first section from Podo round about to Km8 + 00 is the rehabilitation of existing road. The work covers in parts, of scarification, laying of binders course of 5cm, wearing course of 4cm, reconstruction of median kerbs with in-situ cast concrete median where applicable, isolated earth filling of 2m high around Km7 + 700 and de-silting of existing side drains.
The second section from Km8 – Km11 +900 is entirely new construction terminating at Ibadan – Abeokuta road. Unsuitable materials of over 3,000m3 have been removed in some areas while rock drilling, blasting and excavation are in progress. The pavement section consists of heavy earthworks and sub-base, 15cm stone base, 5cm binders course and 4cm wearing course.
The section cuts across an existing single carriage Bembo – Elere road creating a junction. The type of junction is being determined by the State Director of Highways considering the traffic volume at the newly created junction.
Being a new road, buildings and other utilities like NEPA lines are affected. These have to be relocated with demolition of buildings and attendant compensation to owners.
The main challenge is the time it takes in processing compensation to building owners before demolition is effected.
