ECOWAS heads of state and government have approved $50 million for the feasibility study and design of the six-lane Lagos-Abidjan road project.

The approval was made yesterday at a meeting of ministers of works chaired by Nigerian president, Goodluck Jonathan, at the sidelines of the ongoing 22nd Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union (AU) in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

When completed, the road project would transverse Ghana, Benin Republic and Togo.

Speaking at the meeting, the chairman of the ministerial steering committee of the project and Nigerian Works Minister Mike Onolememen said with the fund, work would commence on the road project by the first quarter of this year.

According to him, $16 million is expected from the African Development Bank (ADB) thereby making the fund to be in excess of $50 million.

"The feasibility study is going to be far in excess of $50 million. So the AfDB offered that they've this money, that is, the remaining $16 million to contribute towards raising the total money for the design. Now, for the full design to be paid for, we actually look forward to getting additional funds from development partners and multi-lateral agencies. But to show commitment from member-states, that is why we're requesting $50 million," Onolememen said.

He said:" you can imagine what a six-lane dual carriageway leading from Lagos to Abidjan and in future from Abidjan to Dakar will do to the economy of the sub-region. It'll certainly transform the economy of the sub-region."

Source : allafrica.com
 

Posted on : 30 Nov,-0001