FG, AfDB Meet Over Funding Of Coastal, Trans-Sahara Highways

The Minister of Works and Housing, David Umahi and the African Development  Bank (AfDB) on Tuesday opened talks for the possible funding of the construction of some sections of the Coastal and Trans-Sahara highways in Nigeria and Cameroon.

Umahi said it was part of the action plan of the federal government to increase economic opportunities and enhance the transnational investment progress in a statement signed by his spokesman, Uchenna Orji.

The former Ebonyi State Governor disclosed this when delegates from the AfDB led by the Director of Infrastructure and  Urban Development, Mike Salawou, paid the ministry a visit in Abuja.

The minister said the project will unlock opportunities for investment in infrastructure, tourism, agricultural production, and industrial business development along the coastal and Trans-Sahara routes.

He said, “The coastal road is 700km. That is phase one and it is running from Lagos through Ogun state to Ondo State, passing through the coastal states of Delta, Bayelsa, Port Harcourt, and Akwa Ibom, and ending in Cross River in 700 kilometres.

“Just last week, we awarded section one, phase one, and phase one is 47.47 kilometres. It’s already been awarded to Hi-tech Construction Limited. We have phase two, which is about 57 kilometres, taking us from the end of phase one.

“Phase one ends at Lekki Peninsula. It takes us from Ahmadu Bello Way to Lekki Deep Sea Port. Phase two takes us to the boundary between Ogun State and Ondo State. That’s about 57km.

“It’s going to be available for several funders under the lead investor, That’s Hi-tech Construction Nigeria Limited. So that is available, and when the discussion comes up, then there will be a need for us to meet with Hi-tech and the Minister of Finance Coordinating Minister of the Economy.”

Lauding the AfDB’s commitment to economic development, Salawou said the bank has a mandate to contribute to the sustainable and social progress of its regional members individually and jointly.

“So as the African Development Bank, we are ready to assist you. To make it easy for us, we need to have any studies available to make sure we can support you on this project.

“So we are ready. We can see where we can find the resources to support you in structuring the different projects.

“The dualisation of the road between Nigeria and Cameroon will foster regional integration between the two countries, because I believe Nigeria is Cameroon’s number one trade partner So, we need to reinforce the modernised infrastructure there,” he said.