FG ADVANCES INFRASTRUCTURE DRIVE WITH APPROVAL OF NEW PPP ROAD PROJECTS, SOLAR LIGHTING, LANDSCAPING, AND ENHANCED SECURITY FEATURES The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to delivering durable, innovative, and economically impactful infrastructure across Nigeria, following key approvals and policy directions aimed at accelerating national development. This was disclosed during a courtesy visit by the Management of the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) Limited to the Honourable Minister of Works on Wednesday. The Honourable Minister of Works, H. E. Sen. (Engr.) David Umahi, CON, FNSE, FNATE disclosed that the President has approved the commencement of an extension of the recently completed Bodo-Bonny Road and Bridges Project in Rivers State to be executed under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement, with an estimated cost of about ₦150 billion. The project is expected to incorporate modern engineering solutions, including the use of concrete technology to ensure long-term durability and minimal maintenance over a lifespan of 50 to 100 years. The Minister further revealed that the project has been slated for presentation to the Federal Executive Council (FEC) for formal ratification, underscoring the administration’s commitment to due process and transparency in project execution. As part of efforts to enhance safety, aesthetics, and economic activity along the nation’s road corridors, the government has approved the installation of solar-powered street lighting and the planting of trees. These initiatives are designed to improve night-time visibility, boost security, beautify the corridor, and stimulate commercial activities across the host communities. In addition, plans are underway to deploy a Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) surveillance system along major highways, complemented by strategically located monitoring centres. This measure is expected to significantly reduce emergency response time to under 10 minutes, thereby strengthening road safety and security management. The project design also includes the construction of rest areas/relief stations and service facilities to support effective monitoring and maintenance operations. Contractors have been directed to utilise savings from project costs to further enhance infrastructure through the provision of solar lighting and tree planting, thereby contributing to environmental sustainability. In a bid to improve logistics and reduce congestion, the government has emphasised the inclusion of truck parking yards at key locations along the project’s corridor. Engagements with host communities are ongoing to secure suitable land for these facilities, ensuring smooth implementation and community participation. The government has also set a strict project delivery timeline of not more than 12 months from the date of award, with firm provisions to prevent cost variations. This is aimed at ensuring efficiency, accountability, and value for money. Commending stakeholders involved in the project, the Honourable Minister noted that the ongoing infrastructure revolution under the current Renewed Hope Administration is unprecedented with a visible impact across all regions of the country. He emphasised that the government is not only focused on constructing roads but on delivering world-class infrastructure that supports economic growth, enhances safety, and improves the quality of life of Nigerians. The Federal Government reiterated its resolve to continue exploring innovative solutions, fostering investment, and ensuring that infrastructure development directly benefits communities nationwide. The Managing Director of NLNG, Engr. Adeleye Falade, in the company of some officials presented a model of a Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) ship to the Minister, symbolising NLNG’s commitment to innovation and the promotion of cleaner energy solutions in Nigeria’s transportation and maritime sectors. The meeting also provided an opportunity for both parties to discuss areas of mutual interest and collaboration in advancing sustainable infrastructure development.   ...

FG ASSURES ECOWAS, AfDB OF COMMITMENT TO THE REALIZATION OF THE 1,028KM LAGOS–ABIDJAN CORRIDOR PROJECT — Flags design issues, to develop a model aligned with the peculiarities of Nigerian roads The Federal Government has reaffirmed its strong commitment to the actualization of the 1028km Lagos–Abidjan Corridor, a major regional highway expected to transform trade and connectivity across West Africa. This assurance was given by the Honourable Minister of Works, Senator Engr. David Umahi, CON during a high-level meeting in his office, Mabushi, Abuja on Thursday, April 23, 2026, with delegations from the ECOWAS Commission and the African Development Bank. The team visited Nigeria in his capacity as Chairman of the Steering Committee for the project and the country’s representative at the ministerial level, to brief him on progress and resolve outstanding technical and financing issues. The project is connecting Cote D’Ivoire from Abidjan, Ghana, Togo, Benin, and Nigeria from Lagos.  Speaking at the meeting, Umahi conveyed the backing of the president, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR stressing that infrastructure development remains central to the administration’s agenda. “I bring greetings from His Excellency, President Bola Tinubu, who is fully committed to infrastructural development in Nigeria,” the minister said. He explained that the Lagos–Abidjan corridor, spanning about 1,028 kilometres, is being developed to match the scale and ambition of Nigeria’s ongoing Sokoto–Badagry Superhighway. According to him, the project will feature reinforced concrete pavement, three lanes on each carriageway, and modern road design standards aimed at long-term durability. Umahi used the opportunity to highlight the scale of ongoing road investments across Nigeria, linking them directly to the regional corridor vision. He noted that major sections of the Sokoto–Badagry route are already under construction, with significant financial commitments. “At the end of the corridor, which will connect with the Lagos–Abidjan route at Badagry, we have the Badagry section, one hundred and sixty-two kilometers, already awarded and ongoing,” he said. “We are also going to the Federal Executive Council for the Uyo section, one hundred and eighty kilometers, for award this week.” He emphasized that the Lagos–Abidjan project is not isolated but part of a broader network of interconnected highways, including the Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway and several legacy routes cutting across all six geopolitical zones. “This project will drive trade across West Africa and the African coast,” Umahi stated, adding that the coastal highway alone covers 750 kilometres, with multiple sections already completed, ongoing, or nearing commissioning. Providing further updates, he said: “Section one, forty-seven point four seven kilometers in Lagos, is completed and will be commissioned in May. Section two, fifty-five kilometers, will reach the Ogun boundary and is expected to be completed by December.” He added that construction is also advancing steadily in Akwa Ibom and Cross River States, with additional sections heading to the Federal Executive Council for approval. Beyond the coastal route, the minister outlined a third legacy corridor linking Lagos to Abuja through Ebonyi, Benue, Kogi, and Nasarawa States, as well as a fourth corridor extending from Abuja through the North-Central and North-East regions. “These projects represent a major transformation not just for Nigeria but for the wider West African region,” he said. Umahi also pointed to ongoing work on critical national highways such as the Abuja–Kano road, parts of which are expected to be completed within the year, alongside projects like Sokoto–Zamfara–Kaduna–Katsina, Enugu–Onitsha, and the East–West Road. According to him, the Tinubu administration is deliberately prioritizing durability by adopting reinforced concrete technology for many of the roads. “President Bola Tinubu is delivering durable infrastructure designed to last over one hundred years,” he said. “His approach to economic reform, including subsidy removal and currency adjustments is long-term national planning, even if not fully understood by the public.” On the Lagos–Abidjan corridor itself, the minister explained that there are unresolved issues. He raised concerns about design and unequal distribution of the corridor length among participating countries. “On the engineering side, I will be direct. There are unresolved issues on the Lagos–Abidjan corridor,” Umahi stated. “The distribution of corridor length across countries is unequal and can only be resolved at the level of heads of state.” He disclosed that Nigeria’s section of the corridor is approximately 79.5 kilometres but will be executed to a higher standard than originally proposed. “I am executing mine with reinforced concrete and three lanes, not the two-lane ECOWAS design. I have also rejected aspects of the ECOWAS design due to lack of consultation and impractical elements,” he said. Umahi added that Nigeria is currently developing its own design framework, expected to be completed within two weeks, taking into account existing infrastructure and real-world conditions along the route. “We are developing our own design… It will account for existing infrastructure, obstacles along the corridor, and practical implementation realities,” he explained. He stressed that decisions on funding models must be taken at the highest political level before the project can proceed to procurement and full financing. “Once the design is finalized and approved by member states, the funding model must be agreed by heads of state… Until that is resolved, moving into procurement and financing is premature. That is my position,” he said. Despite these challenges, the minister reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to the project. “We remain committed to this project because it will connect Nigeria’s infrastructure to neighboring countries and deliver mutual benefits,” he said, announcing plans to host ECOWAS and technical teams for further engagement. Earlier, the ECOWAS Director of Transport, Chris Appiah, explained that the mission was part of ongoing consultations with member states. “Honorable Minister… we have had several engagements with your project focal team and your technical consultants on the Nigeria section of the highway,” he said. “We have gone through the designs, taken comments, and provided responses.” He noted that similar consultations had been held with Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, and Togo, while engagement with Benin is scheduled to follow its recent elections. “We are here today to report to you as the Chair of the Steering Committee… and to take any final issues on the technical side,” Appiah added. On financing, the African Development Bank delegation, led by Salawou Mike Moukaila, described the project as a top priority for the bank. “As you tasked the bank to mobilize financing for the corridor, we have taken this very seriously,” Moukaila said. “Our senior management, including the president of the bank, has made this project a priority because it will enhance regional integration.” He explained that the bank is currently undertaking an “identification mission” across 25 countries to design a financing framework and kick-start an initial phase of the project. “There is strong interest from co-financiers within and outside Africa,” he noted. “They want to see the bank take the lead in financing and mobilizing its instruments.” Moukaila added that the initiative aligns with the strategic priorities of the bank’s leadership, particularly in promoting infrastructure, trade, and regional integration. He also emphasized Nigeria’s central role in the success of the corridor. “The Nigerian section is strategically important because a significant portion of trade originates from Nigeria along this corridor,” he said. In closing, the AfDB delegation commended the Nigerian government for its infrastructure drive. “On behalf of the bank, we commend President Bola Tinubu and the Minister for championing infrastructure development in Nigeria, which is critical for regional connectivity across West, Central, and East Africa,” Moukaila said. He described the Lagos–Abidjan Corridor as “a game changer” and invited the minister to share Nigeria’s experience at the upcoming Africa Transport Forum in Abidjan. ...

HAPPY 69TH BIRTHDAY TO ALH. ALIKO DANGOTE  I warmly congratulate my dear brother, and President/CEO, Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, GCON on the occasion of his 69th birthday. Your remarkable contributions to Nigeria’s industrial growth remain a source of pride, and I deeply appreciate your partnership in our concrete road revolution, an initiative that is delivering more durable and high-quality road infrastructure across the country. I wish you continued good health, strength, and greater accomplishments in the years ahead. Senator Engr. David Nweze Umahi, CON, FNSE, FNATE  Honourable Minister of Works   ...