Umahi Seeks Dangote, Elumelu’s Support For Tinubu, Road Infrastructure

Minister of works, Engr David Umahi, has advocated for concessionaires and private sector investment in road infrastructure as obtained in advanced economies.

He made the call during a closed-door meeting with the governor of Taraba State, Agbu Kefas, the founder and CEO of Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote and the founder and chairman of Heirs Holdings, Chief Tony Elumelu, at the Federal Ministry  of Works yesterday.

A statement by the special adviser media to the minister, Barr. Orji Uchenna Orji said private sector initiative will fast-track the road infrastructure revolution and bring order, accountability, and profitable entrepreneurship to the operations, management and maintenance of federal highways.

He recalled that the minister had in his zeal to change the ugly narrative of road infrastructure in Nigeria set up three committees to work on the contracts executed by some concessionaires with the Federal Ministry of Works with a view to reviewing the scope and cost implications of the projects executed under the Highway Development and Management Initiative (HDMI).

He said, “It is hoped that investors, local and international, and other organised bodies would  take advantage  of the will power of the President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope administration  and the  private sector experience  and professional capacities of the Minister of Works  to invest in the over 35,000 km of the national  road network  being managed by Federal Government of Nigeria as this road network  carries more than 70 percent of the vehicular traffic, making it a critical infrastructure for the movement  of goods and services  across  the nation.

“This initiative will trigger economic development, job creation, local content development and wealth creation for the Nigerian population.

Mr President means business with his efforts to prosper our country and make it the pride of the African continent. Your support is critical”.

Governor Kefas was a one-time chairman of the Governing Board of Directors Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) before he became governor.

Whereas the founder and CEO Dangote Group  is one of Africa’s foremost captains of industry  who has made ambitious investments  in the development  of  infrastructure in Nigeria, just like his counterpart and chairman  of Heirs Holdings who is also one of Africa’s  leading  investors who have shown manifest  commitment in the transformation  of Nigeria’s infrastructure through  long- term investment  in strategic  sectors  of Nigeria’s economy,  including  financial  services, and infrastructure development.