Dangote Calls On FG To Adopt Concrete Road Construction
The President of Dangote Industries Limited, Aliko Dangote has called on the Federal Government to jettison asphalt for concrete-made roads.
While speaking at the commissioning of the Apapa- Oworonshoki road by President Bola Tinubu in Lagos on Sunday, the business mogul stated that the recommendation for the rejection of asphalt “is because concrete roads are easier to build and maintain.”
According to him, “The Apapa-Oworonshoki road will be a catalyst for economic development, creating employment opportunities during and after construction. It has also permitted the accumulation of experience in building concrete roads in Nigeria.
“Indeed, given the huge cost savings achieved in this project vis-à-vis Nigerian road terrain, it is recommended that the Federal Ministry of Works gives serious consideration to stipulating the replacement of Nigeria’s asphalt road networks with easier-to-build and maintain concrete roads with a 100 per cent local inputs.”
Speaking further, Dangote said Apapa-Oworonshoki road is a critical artery that connects various markets to the Nigerian ports and other key economic centres.
This, he said, informed the motivation to leverage Executive Order 007 on Road Infrastructure Development and Refurbishment Investment Tax Credit Scheme to reconstruct the road.
According to him, “Executive Order 007 created the right framework for public-private partnerships in the development of road infrastructure projects that have a measurable economic impact.
“This innovative public-private partnership framework has enabled the government to provide a vital infrastructure service without going through several budget cycles involving invariable delays in project delivery and inevitable cost escalations.”
Also, he expressed that the Dangote Group considers the project as Corporate Social Responsibility, and has so far recouped only 40 per cent of the investments made.
“We believe that a more commercial interest rate recovery should be allowed given the high cost of capital in the Nigerian fiscal environment,” he noted.
Meanwhile, in a statement made available to a correspondent, the Dangote Group stated that President Bola Tinubu has applauded the President of Dangote Industries Limited, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, for his selflessness in actualising the project.
Tinubu, represented by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, expressed that the reconstruction of 37-kilometer road, which commenced in 2018 by the former administration and completed in 2024, is a win for all Nigerians.
According to him, “Lagos is home to all, I thank Aliko Dangote for coming up with this initiative and in partnership with HiTech have delivered the Tenth Wonder of The World.
“Lagos is not the only state experiencing growth and development under the renewed hope agenda. I also congratulate the Minister of Works David Umahi for his passionate commitment to structural development across Nigeria.”