If current developments are anything to go by, a section of the N4.3 billion four kilometre Apapa-Wharf Road will be opened to traffic next week. Project Coordinator of AG Dangote, one of the companies handling the project, Tunde Jimoh, said this was predicated on the completion of section one of the out bound road, which would aid vehicular movement, as the project nears its June completion date.
He stressed that the project was divided into four sections for easier management, while construction works progress on Section two, which runs through the Flour Mills roundabout. He explained that gas pipelines, Internet cables, water lines, 11KVA and 33 KVA electric cables in the project’s right of way initially slowed down the pace of work.
Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, had on June 17, 2017 signed a N4.34 billion Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with AG Dangote Construction Company Ltd. and other stakeholders for the reconstruction of the Apapa-Wharf Road.
The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) would fund the project to the tune of N1.8 billion, while Flour Mills of Nigeria and Dangote would contribute N2.6 billion. However, the Federal Government yesterday commended AG Dangote and Borino Prono, the contractors handling key projects in Apapa-Tincan Ports for complying with local content directives.
Director, South West, Ministry of Works, Emmanuel Adeoye, gave the commendations in Apapa, when he led directors and officials of the ministry and other stakeholders to a tour of Federal Government’s projects in Lagos.Expressing satisfaction with the number of Nigerians at the employ of the firms and the fact that over 90 per cent of the materials were sourced locally, Adeoye said it was in line with the recent directive and would help in the training of Nigerian engineers, artisans and create jobs for Nigerians.
He also commended AG Dangote on the progress of the Apapa-Wharf Road project for conforming with specifications and assurance of keeping to the June completion date despite the initial challenges.He pointed out that the feat was achieved in spite the fact that the project was undertaken through Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Flour Mills of Nigeria Plc and Dangote group.
Also, Chairmen, Lagos Branch of Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), Johnson Akinwande , expressed gladness with the involvement of Nigerian engineers and companies like AG Dangote in the road construction.