The Federal Government has assured that the proposed Lagos-Abuja super highway will be completed within 4 years.
This was made known by the Minister of Works, David Umahi, during a press conference on Saturday, September 23, 2023.
Umahi noted that driving from Lagos to Abuja will take 4 hours on the highway upon its completion.
He said the road will be made solely with concrete, adding that it is cheaper than asphalt.
To be built at no cost to FG
At the press conference in Lagos, Umahi, flanked by Kenny Martins, the chairman of Advance Engineering Company – consortium in charge of the highway – said the project, a Public Private Partnership (PPP), would be solely funded by the consortium in charge.
He added that the federal government would only be in charge of supervision.
Minister of Works, David Umahi told journalists in Lagos that the road will be built by a private sector consortium at no cost to the government.
The consortium will operate the facility for a yet-to-be-determined period on a build, operate and transfer deal, he said, adding that it will be tolled at different points to enable the investors to recoup their investment.
He said, “When I first introduced this to the public, many doubting Thomases were saying ‘it is impossible, Lagos-Abuja that is done in 14 hours cannot be done in four and half hours’, that is the renewed hope of Mr President.
“The president has approved that I fast-track this project. This project is going to be two lanes, but each lane is going to be a two-carriage way and it is going to be 14 metres.
“The only carriageway that is equivalent to this is the third mainland bridge where each carriageway is 14 metres. It is going to be built on 275-millimeter thick concrete.”
Umahi also said the live-shelf design of the project will be 100 years, adding that it would also include a number of bridges and tolling points.
He added. “We are not putting any kobo but we will assist them in every direction. I give kudos to Advance Engineering Company, I am very satisfied with their concept and what they have put in place.
“So, the next thing is to bring the business proposal so we can negotiate on what the cost of the project is going to be. Then they go to the ministry of finance and negotiate on the issue of their money.
“The good thing is that we are building this road on concrete so we can predict the cost of this project. In asphalt, you cannot predict the cost. The cost of asphalt roads changes every month.”
In addition, the minister explained that “concrete roads are more durable and cheaper than asphalt”. He also said he has given directives that “all ongoing projects that have not advanced up to 80 percent” should be completed using concrete.
The news about Lagos-Abuja super highway is a welcome development. This is long overdue, as the new administration is taken concrete step to bridge the gap in infrastructure development in Nigeria. I hope the new government will look into the improvement of our maintenance culture of all our existing infrastructures in the country and bring back Public Work Department (PWD).
Even an electric Train will take more than 4 hours let’s be straight