ECOWAS Calls For Proper Evaluation Of Abidjan-Lagos Highway

The meeting of ministers of road works and infrastructure from Nigeria, Benin, Togo, Ghana and Cote d’ Ivoire on the Lagos-Ibadan Highway Development Project, at the ECOWAS commission in Abuja yesterday, the commissioner for infrastructure, ECOWAS commission, Mr Ebrima Njie said that the committee was expecting two firms per country to add to the long list of consultants for further evaluation and selection.

He said, ‘’In terms of the initial approach made to the African Development Bank (AFDP) for funding of the feasibility and detailed design studies, we continue to receive positive indications that it is being favourably considered.

“We now have to urgently firm up decisions to enable the various components of the project to take off. Information reaching us from continental and international sources shows that there is a lot of excitement building about this project due to positive reasons.’’

In his speech, the minister of works and chairman, project steering committee, Arc. Mike Oziegbe Onolememen said that the committee was expected to conclude the efforts made so far in the preparatory stage of the project. While issues such as signing of the joint request to AfDP by the member states, signing of the project treaty, and modalities to raise the $50 million seed money by member states will be left to the heads of government of the five countries to finalise at their next meeting in Yamoussoukro.

Also speaking, the minister of works, Ghana, said that his country was very committed to the delegation of this project and that the committee is certainly going to work towards working to satisfying the people which will in turn facilitate trade among the ECOWAS countries.

Similarly, the minister of road and works, Togo, Mr Ninsao Gnofam said that the meeting opted to meet in March but the committee chose February to show its commitment and that Togo was fully committed to the implementation of this project.

- Leadership

loading...