The Federal Government has granted approval to the Ogun State government’s request to rebuild the Abeokuta-Ota Expressway. The announcement was made by the Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, who emphasized that the state would recoup the money spent on the project through tolling. The decision aims to address the state of road infrastructure inherited by the present administration, with a focus on completing ongoing projects and redesigning them using concrete pavements to mitigate inflation and variations.
In addition to the approval for the Abeokuta-Ota Expressway, the Federal Executive Council (FEC) also sanctioned the construction of a coastal road running from Lagos to Port Harcourt to Calabar in two phases. Phase One will extend from Lagos to Port Harcourt, while Phase Two will cover the route from Sokoto to Ogoja. The coastal road project will be executed through Engineering Procurement and Construction plus Financing (EBC + F) and is part of the government’s commitment to infrastructure development.
Furthermore, the FEC approved eight roads that were started by the previous administration for concession. The financial closure for these projects is expected to be reached in November. Additionally, 25 new roads were approved for concession, following the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model. The PPP arrangement is known for taking a considerable amount of time, and the government aims to enhance the efficiency of infrastructure development.
The Lagos-Ota-Abeokuta road, originally part of the concession plan, has been given to the Ogun State government. The state will undertake the reconstruction independently and follow the Hardware Development Management Initiative (HDMI). This approach involves the state managing the project and implementing tolls for funding without a refund from the federal government.
The Federal Government also approved the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model for the Ijora Park in Lagos, won by Beta Nigeria Ltd. This decision aligns with the government’s strategy to leverage private sector participation for infrastructure projects, fostering development across the country.
