*Aliko Dangote, President of Dangote Industries Limited, says the conglomerate is privileged to partner with the Federal Government in the transformative efforts, reaffirming the Group鈥檚 commitment to national development and collective prosperity in Nigeria

Isola Moses | 绿帽献妻

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, H. E. Engr. Dave Umahi, Honourable Minister for Works and Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State, among others have commended Alhaji Aliko Dangote, President of Dangote Industries Limited (DIL), and HiTech Construction Limited, for their roles in the completion of the Oworonshoki-Apapa Expressway, in Lagos.

President Tinubu, represented by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, at the event, enthused that the 37-kilometre road, which commenced in 2018 by the former administration and completed in 2024, is a win for all Nigerians.

Tinubu also explained that the importance of Lagos State to Nigeria makes it very vital and as such must work for the benefit of all.

The President stated: 鈥淟agos is home to all. I thank Mr. Dangote for coming up with this initiative, and in partnership with HiTech, have delivered the Tenth Wonder of The World鈥�. Lagos is not the only state experiencing growth and development under the renewed hope agenda.

鈥淚 also congratulate the Minister of Works David Umahi on his passionate commitment to structural development across Nigeria.鈥�

Speaking on the 鈥渆xtremely poor鈥� condition of the road before December 2018, Dangote had stressed that the road 鈥渟everely hampered the evacuation of goods and restricted access to the markets, paralysing the shipping and manufacturing industries and disrupting supply chains across the entire economic landscape.

鈥淏efore the completion of this road, it used to take two weeks before we get to the port and in about 18 months, we lost over N60billion in demurrage.鈥�

The President of Dangote Group also noted: 鈥淭he successful completion of this project is an example of the positive impact that can be achieved when the public sector collaborates with private sector.

He stressed: 鈥淯tilising the visionary framework of Executive Order 007 in Road Infrastructure Development and Refurbishment Investment Tax Credit Scheme, the Dangote Group has been able to mobilise capital for complete refurbishment of the entire 37 kilometres length of Apapa-Isolo-Oworonshoki road and its expansion to 10 lanes.鈥�

According to him, Dangote Group was privileged to partner with the Federal Government in the transformative efforts, reaffirming its commitment to national development and collective prosperity.

He also stated that it is imperative that the scheme should be revisited to make it more viable for the private sector participants.

Dangote further explained: 鈥淚n this case, we have so far recovered only 40 percent of our investments and the balance is not due until 2027, we consider this project merely as Corporate Social Responsibility.

鈥淲e believe that a more commercial interest rate recovery should be allowed in view of the high cost of capital in the Nigerian fiscal environment.鈥�

In his remarks at the event, Engr. Umahi, Minister for Works, also commended the Dangote Group for delivering a well-executed project, adding that the quality of the Dangote Cement is a testament to the value seen on the road.

The Minister recalled his earlier experience: 鈥淚 was once trapped for 8 hours on my way to the airport and so, I understand how terrible the road was.

鈥淲e are celebrating this project today because it was well done and a display of new technology. It is fully completed with solar-powered streetlights.

鈥淚n the same vein, the Third Mainland Bridge wasn鈥檛 just another rehabilitation work, a road that has been standing for about 40 years鈥� in an effort to ensure that our bridges last longer, I鈥檓 happy to announce that Mr. President has approved the ban on excavation of sands 10 kilometres from bridges across Nigeria.鈥�

Governor Sanwo-Olu, represented by Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, Deputy Governor, revealed that about 20 companies had relocated from the Apapa axis of the state due to the condition of the road, stating 鈥渢he state of the road is unimaginable.鈥�

The Lagos State Governor said: 鈥淲e are grateful to Aliko Dangote, HiTech for the excellent job they did. It used to take over seven hours to drive from one end of the road to the other, it now takes around an hour.鈥�

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