The Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola has signed a N4.34 Billion Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Dangote Group and other stakeholders for the reconstruction of Apapa Wharf Road.
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 become compounded 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.
Support InfoStride News' Credible Journalism: Only credible journalism can guarantee a fair, accountable and transparent society, including democracy and government. It involves a lot of efforts and money. We need your support. Click here to Donate