From Isaac Anumihe, Abuja
Federal Government is discussing with some captains of industries such as Aliko Dangote, Tony Elumelu and other organisations to invest in the management of the nation’s road infrastructure.
It’s against this backdrop that the Minister of Works, Engineer Dave Nweze Umahi held a high-powered closed-door meeting with the private sector in Abuja, yesterday.
In a statement, Special Adviser (Media) to the Minister of Works,
Orji Uchenna Orji said the Minister of Works, Engineer Dave Nweze Umahi is desirous of changing the ugly narrative of road infrastructure in Nigeria.
To this effect, the Minister had 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 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” he said
According to Orji, the governor of Taraba 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.
“It is hoped that investors, local and international, and other organized 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 per cent 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 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” the Minister said.