Works Minister, Sen Umahi, Gov Kefas, Dangote, Elumelu Brainstorm On Road Project Financing

• As Sen. Umahi advocates on PPP on Financing of Nigeria’s Road Infrastructure

The Hon. Minister of Works, His Excellency, Sen. Engr. Nweze David Umahi CON has been engaging with concessionaires and other private sector organizations on the need for private sector investment through public private partnership(PPP) on Nigeria road infrastructure as done in advanced economies of the world.

According to a statement by the Special Adviser (Media) to the Hon. Minister of Works, Hon. Barr. Orji Uchenna Orji, this is in keeping with the road infrastructure initiatives of the Renewed Hope administration of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR.

Barr.Orji stated that this informed the closed door meeting the Hon. Minister of Works had with the Governor of Taraba State, His Excellency, Dr. Agbu Kefas, the founder and CEO of Dangote Group of Conglomerates, Alhaji Aliko Dangote GCON, and Hon. Ndudi Godwin Elumelu, former Minority Leader, Federal House of Representatives.

It would be recalled, he said that the Hon. Minister of Works in his zeal to change the ugly narrative of road infrastructure in Nigeria 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).

He stressed that this private sector initiative will fast track road infrastructure revolution and bring order, accountability, and profitable entrepreneurship to the operations, management, and maintenance of Federal Highways.

According to the minister’s media aide, stated that the minister met with 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.

At the meeting, he said was the founder and CEO Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote GCON, who is one of Africa’s foremost captains of industry, who has made ambitious investments in the development of infrastructure in Nigeria, 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.

Also, in attendance at the meeting, he added is Hon Ndudi G. Elumelu, who is a well-travelled politician and contemporary public administrator, and also a product of Harvard Business School, Boston.

“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 Hon. 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% 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 mean business with his efforts to prosper our country and make it the pride of the African continent. your support is critical,” Barr.Orji emphasized.