By Dele Ogbodo
In keeping with the road infrastructure initiatives of the Renewed Hope Agenda (RHA) of President Bola Tinubu Administration, the Minister of Works, Engr. Nweze David Umahi, has met with Aliko Dangote, Tony Elumelu and the Governor of Taraba State, Dr. Agbu Kefa over seamless and robust financing deal for the country’s road infrastructure development using the Public Private Partnership (PPP) model.
The Special Adviser, Media to the Minister of Works, Barr. Orji Uchenna Orji, while quoting the Minister, said he (the Minister) engaged concessionaires and other private sector organizations on the import of private sector investment on our road infrastructure finance as done in advanced economies of the world.
According to the spokesperson, this informed the closed door meeting between the Minister, Governor of Taraba State, Dr. Agbu Kefas, the founder and CEO of Dangote Group of Conglomerates, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, the founder and Chairman of Heirs Holdings, Chief Tony Elumelu this 24th day of January,2024 at the Federal Ministry of Works.
Umahi, said: “It would be recalled that the Minister of Works in his zeal to change the ugly narrative of road infrastructure in Nigeria had set up 3 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 they undertook to execute under the Highway Development and Management Initiative( HDMI).
“This private sector initiative will fastrack road infrastructure revolution and bring order, accountability, and profitable entrepreneurship to the operations, management, and maintenance of Federal Highways.
According to Orji, the Taraba governor who retired as a military professional was a one-time Chairman Governing Board of Directors Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) before he became Governor.
“The founder and CEO Dangote Group is one of Africa’s foremost captains of industry who have 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.” He said.
Umahi, added that it is hoped that investors, local and international and other organized bodies would take advantage of the will power of the President Asiwaju Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope administration and the private sector experience and professional capacities of the Minister to invest in the over 35,000 Km of the national road network being managed by Federal Government.
He reiterated that the federal government carries more than 70% of the vehicular traffic network, making it a critical infrastructure for the movement of goods and services across the nation.
The Minister, explained that this initiative will trigger economic development, job creation, local content development and wealth creation for Nigerian population, adding that the President mean business with his efforts to prosper our country and make it the pride of the African continent. Your support is critical.
