FG signs N4.34bn MoU with Dangote for reconstruction of Apapa Wharf road

dimeji akinloye

June 18, 2017 12:22 AM

The project is to be funded by Dangote Construction Company Ltd, the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) and Flour Mills of Nigeria.

Nigeria's Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN)

The Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr

Fashola signed the MoU in Lagos on Saturday, June 17, 2017.

The project is to be funded by AG Dangote Construction Company Ltd, an arm of the Dangote Group, the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) and Flour Mills of Nigeria.

According to NAN, the site was handed over to the stakeholders for the commencement of reconstruction works.

Fashola explained that the gridlock in Apapa has reached an unbearable level as transporters ignored the old system of moving cargo through rail to trucks and containers.

He said that the choice of the transporters to use road instead of rail for haulage increased gridlock, caused degeneration as well as well as hardship to residents of Apapa.

The minister commended the "leadership role" of the stakeholders to solve the complex problems in Apapa and its environs.

"As a result of all these unsavory practices, we have reached a point of near total gridlock, it is difficult to move cargo in or out, difficult for residents to get home and this must stop," he said.

Fashola said that it took time to reach an agreement on the project because the stakeholders were putting up an effective design that would address the drainage problem because the area is waterlogged.

"We have finished with the design, we now have a Bill of Quantity and the cost of the road is N4.34 billion to be funded and paid for by these three groups, Flour Mills of Nigeria, AG Dangote Construction Company Ltd and NPA," he noted.

The minister said that although the parties are funding the project, the Federal Ministry of Power Works and Housing will supervise it through all the stages to ensure quality and compliance with standards.

ALSO READ: FG orders suspension of work on national housing programme site in Ekiti

Fashola sought for the cooperation of all residents of Lagos and directed the Apapa Area Commander of the Nigerian Police Force, DSP My Nuru to apprehend reckless drivers who drive against traffic during the period of construction.

He also appealed to Nuru to tackle all bureaucracies that would affect free flow of traffic while apprehending offenders.

Fashola also appealed for synergy among law enforcement and traffic regulatory agencies for better traffic management to reduce stress on road users during the one-year duration of the project.

dimeji akinloye