17 March 2013, Lagos – Mr Godwin Eke, Deputy Director, Federal Ministry of Works, on Sunday said that the Ministry had adopted measures to bypass gas pipelines slowing down reconstruction of Oshodi/Apapa expressway.
Eke disclosed that the Ministry had a meeting with gas companies whose pipelines were on its right of way to solve the problem.
He explained that the contractor on the project, Julius Berger Nig. Plc discovered the gas pipelines while trying to lay underground plastic pipes for future use for telecommunication and other utilities.
“From the Beachland to Sunrise bus stop is covered with gas pipelines, valves and control valves.
“The whole stretch is covered and we did not anticipate that there will be any gas pipeline on the right of way when we began.
“It is when excavating for drainage channels and to pass our ducts for servicing across the road that we found the gas pipelines, “ he said.
He said the cost of relocating the gas pipelines was enormous for the companies and that the contractor handling the project could not bear the cost which was not part of the contract.
Eke, who is the Engineer in charge of the project, said that an agreement was reached to bypass the pipelines to continue work on the road.
He added that the contractor also decided to place the manholes for telecommunication and other utilities a little outside the walkways where there were gas valves.
He explained that adequate measures had been taken so that there would not be any problem both for the gas pipelines and utility facilities in future.
Eke said that the contractor also ensured that existing valve pit of gas pipelines were adequately protected with concrete covers with manholes created for the companies to access them.
“The valve pit for pipelines around Mile 2 area, we covered with our walkway but we put a manhole cover for them so that they can access their valve pit for gas.
“We have secured the gas pipelines and provided adequate concrete cover for the pipelines because they would be too expensive to relocate.
“We don’t have the money and the gas companies don’t have it also.
“The pipelines are buried on our walkway and we passed our duct under the pipeline but we put a manhole where companies can pass their pipes.
“We have a manhole for the duct where companies that have need in the future can pass their pipes through the ducts we have provided through the manholes without interference with the gas pipelines, “ he said. (NAN)
