The federal government has said it was able to streamline road project expenses, thereby, saving the country about N1.2 trillion from three road construction projects across the country.
The permanent secretary, Ministry of Works, Dr. Yakubu Adam Kofamata, at the official commissioning of the reconstructed Apapa-Oworoshoki-Ojota Expressway in Lagos, yesterday, stated that the current administration achieved this feat since the inception of the minister of Works, Dave Umahi in office.
He stressed that, under the minister’s leadership, the ministry has saved over N640 billion on the Abuja-Kano expressway, N300 billion from the Second Niger Bridge, and N250 billion from the Lagos-Ibadan expressway which are on Phase 1 and Phase 2 of the road and infrastructural constructions, hence, saving the country N1.19 trillion.
Kofamata added, “Mr. President has directed the Abuja-Kano road must be completed within the next year and the Abuja -Keffi-Makurdi and all to Mile 2 in Enugu is almost on the verge of completion within the one year of this administration”
Also, speaking at the event, Senate President, Godswill Akpabio stated that, “Lagos is the seat of major empowerment and the only city in the whole of West Africa where any tribe that comes from anywhere is sure to have employment opportunities. Lagos welcomes all of us and Lagos Must not be neglected.
“I want to thank Aliko Dangote and Hitech for taking up this job of constructing the Apapa-Oworoshoki-Ojota Expressway. It’s not just the government that was willing to partner private sectors, it’s the fact that they were willing to take up the job and they have done a wonderful job.”
In his address, the president, Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote noted that, the Apapa-Oworoshoki-Ojota Expressway construction started in December 2018, as he canvassed for the adoption of concrete roads in Nigeria.
“This accession marks a significant step in the journey towards transforming Nigeria’s infrastructure landscape as it reflects on the progress of Apapa-Oworonshoki road. We are excited at the significant impact of the project. The Apapa-Oworonshoki road is a crucial axis that connects various markets, the Nigerian port and other key economic sectors.
“It’s also a major exit for export and non-oil goods from Nigeria. 70 per cent of the people living in Abuja checked out of Apapa because it used to take us two weeks before getting to the port. Majority of us almost lost our capital in trying to do our business. We lost over N60 billion to demurrage alone in 18 months and that was why we pleaded with the government to come up with something creative to solve,” he pointed out.
Stating that the road was in an extremely terrible state with several failed and collapsed sections before the intervention, he added that the bad state of the road then hampered the evacuation of goods and restricted access to markets, paralysing the shipping and manufacturing industry and disrupting supply chains across the economic landscape.
The implication, he said, was that companies suffered increased logistic costs which were passed on to Nigeria consumers, but on our own, we couldn’t pass what we lost on to the consumers.
He added that, “For the average Nigerian, it also meant a significant time lost in endless hours in traffic. Moving to Apapa takes hours which has a negative impact on the growth and quality of life. This project is a great example of positive impact that can be achieved when the public sector collaborates with the private sector..”
He, however, said, ‘it is easier to build and maintain concrete road with 100 per cent local input. The road infrastructure projects are good for the economy.’
He remarked that the 36 KM by 10 lanes with concrete pavement was completed under the Renewed Hope Project in 2024.
He stated that the cost of bitumen, which was N650,000 per tonne, has moved to N1.4 million per tonne, urging contractors to migrate into the use of concrete in road construction.
The Road Tax Credit, he stressed, should be commended and applauded when it is properly deployed.
Umahi, however, lauded the CCECC management team on the Lagos Calabar Coastal Highway construction and the maintenance of the Third-Mainland Bridge, adding that, “all the maintenance given to the road is asphalt upon asphalt with the ministry has to mill it out as they are between 6 inches ton12 inches. The expansion joints were changed with the deployment of solar lights in the bridge.”
While commending the private partnership in road and infrastructural development,
Lagos State deputy governor, Femi Hamzat expressed the state’s gratitude to the FG and the Dangote group, as he lauded the construction of the road which serves as a commercial hub for imports and business owners across the state and neighbouring states.
In attendance are; the deputy speaker of the House of Assembly, Ben Kalu, Minister of Blue Economy and Maritime, Gbioyega Oyetola, Kwara State governor, Abdul Rahman AbdulRazaq, Ondo State governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodinma, amongst others.
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