- FRSC seeks quality road design in master plan for growth
President Muhammadu Buhari has said that the interconnection of the African continent with major highways was designed to build and develop economies of member countries.
The president stated this during the week in Abuja at the African Road Builders’ inaugural conference and Africa Road Builders’ Award, known as the Trophee Babacar Ndiaye Award.
Buhari won the 2021 Trophee Babacar Ndiaye award that was represented by the Minister of Works and Housing,
Babatunde Fashola.
He said the Trans-African Highway programme, launched in 1971 sought to connect the entire African continent through a major system of nine highways, the TAH1 to the TAH9, covering an aggregate distance of 56,683 kilometres.
He said the African Development Bank (AfDB), was set up to support the African countries in their developmental objectives, adding that the African Continental Free Trade Area Agreement (ACFTCA) was set up to create a unified, borderless market of over one billion people to facilitate intra-African Trade The Trumpet gathered.
“Our collaboration with the AfDB has been productive and results are now manifest in projects like the Mfum Bamenda Bridge that connects Nigeria and the Republic of Cameroun. I also acknowledge the bank’s support in financing feasibilities, consultancies and pre-construction work on the Lagos Abidjan Corridor, comprising Nigeria, Republic of Benin, Togo, Ghana and Cote d’Ivoire, which is part of the Trans African Highway number 7 from Dakar, Senegal to Lagos, Nigeria.
“I am happy to report that the Nigerian section of the highway is now under construction on the Lagos Badagry corridor through our local financing institution such as the Tax Credit Scheme introduced by Executive Order 7; and in collaboration with the Lagos State Government.
“I am able to report that apart from the Trans-African Highway No. 7, Nigeria is also connected by Trans African Highways No.2, Algiers to Lagos and Trans-African Highway No. 8, Lagos-Mombasa,” he stated.
He said the East to West crossing of Nigeria across the Second River Niger Bridge, which will be completed this year would be a major investment by Nigeria on the Lagos-Mombasa Trans African Highway, as is the Enugu Abakaliki to the Mfum Highway.
According to him, the 375Km Abuja to Kano that is now under construction is Nigeria’s major part of the Trans
African Highway No. 2; Algiers to Lagos.
“Apart from these Trans African connections, we are rebuilding, expanding or replacing strategic Highways and Bridges across our country. The Apapa-Oworonshoki Highway in Lagos is strategic for trade and facilitation of businesses to support our busiest and largest sea Port in Apapa and Tin Can Island.
“The Suleja-Minna Highway is critical to our petroleum distribution network and access to strategic petroleum products depot in Niger State and it is receiving attention, while the CalabarItu-Odukpani axis will unlock access to agricultural produce and support mining and extractive activities for construction in the South-South and South East,” he added.
He said these are only examples of over 13,000Km of Road and Bridge construction, expansion and rehabilitation nationwide.
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Also speaking, the Corps Marshall, Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), Dr. Boboye Oyeyemi has said quality road design and inclusiveness in the master plan can enhance transportation as a vehicle for economic growth through in-country and cross border transactions.
He said the intermediary action that must be implemented on the pathway between building roads and the economy of Nigeria must include a safe transportation system and road safety. Oyeyemi stated this in Abuja at the Trophee Babacar Ndiaye award, which saw President Muhammadu Buhari win the 2021 Trophee Babacar Ndiaye award.
The 2022 Trophee Babacar Ndiaye, the seventh edition of the Road Builders, had the theme: Building Roads, Building Economies, was organised by African journalists in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing and the AfDB.
