There are indications that the Federal Government may have decided to concession the Apapa-Oshodi expressway following failed attempts to ensure the road is free of traffic gridlock.
The decision to concession the road leading to the ports in Lagos was as a result of the cost of repair and maintenance, while the concession option was the only viable one for government.
Vanguard gathered that paucity of funds which has crippled the rehabilitation of the failed Apapa–Oshodi expressway was also another reason which the government considered.
The Federal Government at a time considered alternative funding options for the project and it has narrowed it down to concessioning.
Vanguard confirmed from sources close to the Ministry of Works that the whole stretch from Apapa to Oshodi and the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, MMIA, would be handed over to the private sector.
The source also hinted that government is worried about the state of the road and that the on-going rehabilitation has been slowed down.
“It was the Minister of Works who brought the idea of alternative funding for the project and it was tabled at the Federal Executive Council, FEC, meeting which has sailed through”, the source added.
He also hinted that government is however, still at a loss as to how to go about it, since the rehabilitation work is already being funded by it.
According to him, bringing a concessionaire at this point may pose some problems.
He, however, specifically stated that it would be executed through a Public Private Partnership, PPP, arrangement, details of which are still being worked out.
Already, construction giant, Julius Berger has commenced work on the road which would be handed over to a private firm for proper management.
The decision to concession the road leading to the ports in Lagos was as a result of the cost of repair and maintenance, while the concession option was the only viable one for government.
Vanguard gathered that paucity of funds which has crippled the rehabilitation of the failed Apapa–Oshodi expressway was also another reason which the government considered.
The Federal Government at a time considered alternative funding options for the project and it has narrowed it down to concessioning.
Vanguard confirmed from sources close to the Ministry of Works that the whole stretch from Apapa to Oshodi and the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, MMIA, would be handed over to the private sector.
The source also hinted that government is worried about the state of the road and that the on-going rehabilitation has been slowed down.
“It was the Minister of Works who brought the idea of alternative funding for the project and it was tabled at the Federal Executive Council, FEC, meeting which has sailed through”, the source added.
He also hinted that government is however, still at a loss as to how to go about it, since the rehabilitation work is already being funded by it.
According to him, bringing a concessionaire at this point may pose some problems.
He, however, specifically stated that it would be executed through a Public Private Partnership, PPP, arrangement, details of which are still being worked out.
Already, construction giant, Julius Berger has commenced work on the road which would be handed over to a private firm for proper management.
(Vangaurd Newspaper)
Really. So sad. Are you saying Nigeria can't afford to fix and maintain the road.People already pay Tax.Now you want them to pay for toll like the Lekki toll gate which makes us look stupid as a nation for putting a toll in the middle of a city.So So sad.
ReplyDeleteThe case of a rich nation and corrupt leaders.