Residents and traders around the Ijora axis of Lagos are expressing deep frustration after the contractor handling the ₦224 million Ijora Causeway rehabilitation project allegedly abandoned the site, despite receiving payment from the federal government months ago. The road, which connects Ijora 7UP to Carter Bridge, has deteriorated badly, leaving commuters stuck in long hours of traffic and businesses counting losses as movement becomes more difficult by the day.
According to civic monitoring organization Monitng, which operates through its transparency platform Tracka, findings from the GovSpend public finance database revealed that in August 2024, ₦224 million was paid to RCUBIX LTD for the project. The road rehabilitation was captured in the 2024 national budget with a total cost of ₦414,411,854 and placed under the supervision of the Federal Ministry of Works. Despite this, work was only partially completed before the contractor reportedly deserted the site more than three months ago, leaving key areas like the 7UP Roundabout and Badia Junction in deplorable condition.
Monitng said the situation has plunged residents into daily hardship. The group noted that the abandonment of the project has caused heavy traffic congestion, increased transportation costs, and negatively affected small and medium-scale businesses that depend on the route. It described the Ijora Causeway as a crucial artery for movement across Lagos, linking residential areas, industrial hubs, and commercial centers, adding that the road’s continued neglect poses both economic and security risks to the people.
According to Monitng, the failed sections of the Causeway have now become unsafe for motorists, particularly at night, as robbers and other criminal elements exploit the poor state of the road. The organization described the contractor’s desertion of the site despite receiving a large portion of the funds as a betrayal of public trust and a serious indictment on project oversight within the federal system.
The civic group called on the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to immediately investigate both the contractor and the supervising agency to ensure that the ₦224 million already released is accounted for. Monitng insisted that Nigerians deserve full transparency, accountability, and value for every public naira spent, adding that such instances of neglect should not be tolerated.
It also urged the Federal Government to recall the contractor back to site and ensure the completion of the project to standard. The group emphasized that every additional day of delay compounds the suffering of citizens who rely on the Ijora Causeway for daily transportation and economic activity. Monitng maintained that the government must act urgently to restore public confidence and prevent further hardship in the area.
Monitng commended the Tracka team for exposing the situation through civic monitoring tools and reiterated the importance of public oversight in ensuring responsible use of government funds. The group said this case reinforces the power of citizen-driven accountability in promoting transparency and ensuring that taxpayers’ money truly benefits the people it is meant to serve.