The announcement of this directive was made in a statment released by his Special Adviser on Media, Orji Uchenna, on Tuesday.The decision is part of the government’s ongoing initiatives to enhance the safety and efficiency of crucial transportation corridors across the nation….CONTINUE READING....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

In May 2023, the government entered into an agreement with private-sector investors to upgrade and manage selected highways, with the aim of generating over N11.54 trillion in revenue over a 25-year concession period.

This Public-Private Partnership involves the construction, operations, and maintenance of highways, enabling concessionaires to recover their investments through toll and non-toll revenues, as per negotiations.

The initiative is regarded as a significant stride towards modernizing Nigeria’s highway infrastructure and stimulating economic activities.

However, eight months after the project’s approval, the contractors have not yet initiated work on the site, causing frustration for Minister Umahi.

His recent directive and the formation of three committees to expedite the implementation of the initiative underscore the government’s commitment to ensuring timely and efficient progress in this vital infrastructure project.

The introduction of CCTV and solar lighting is anticipated to improve security and visibility on these highways, addressing safety concerns for motorists and local communities.

He remarked, “This issue has lingered for four years and six months now but this January, we must conclude everything about the successful companies this month. Those companies who are jokers will be taken out. If we have one or two serious contractors, we engage them to take over the project site.”

However, during the event at the ministry headquarters in Abuja, Umahi emphasized the necessity for the committees to work effectively and collaboratively, considering the expectations of Nigerians in terms of transparency, standard, and efficiency in contract negotiations.

He also instructed a review of the scope of work and cost implications to accommodate current economic dynamics and the new policy direction of the present administration. Umahi charged the concessionaires to adhere to the set criteria and timeline for the projects.

He explained, “We own the design; you will own the cost of the project while we carry out verification on the cost of the projects; the idea is to scope the projects. We want to have a standard road infrastructure to toll.

“Our business is to ensure that your design conforms with the ministry’s standard of design, that is why we are making the Director of Roads and Bridges of the ministry the Chairman of the Committee on Scoping and Design. We don’t want to do just a patch on the road and give it to the public for you to toll. The public will resist. We want to have a standard road to toll.

“We have to provide an alternative road because by law you cannot toll road if there is no alternative route to it. Every one of the projects must have alternative routes. The number of toll gates and toll stations will be determined by the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission.

“We also have to put CCTV Camera, Solar Light and Security on our roads. Whatever that will make our roads safer is very important to us. All these must be considered part of the business.”

According to the statement, the three committees set up by the minister for the actualisation of the HDMI programme are “Scoping and design, financial and the due diligence and agreement review committee.”