The Minister of Works, David Umahi, has directed the installation of closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras, solar lighting, and security on nine highways franchised to private investors under the Highway Development and Management Initiative.
He also inaugurated three committees to fast-track the implementation of the initiative, according to a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media Orji Uchenna, on Tuesday.
On May 2023, the government reached an agreement to leverage private-sector investment to improve facilities and operations on selected routes and revenue generation of over N11.54 trillion in the 25-year concession period.
The programme, which is a Public Private Partnership arrangement in the construction, operations, and maintenance of highways, is designed in such a way that the concessionaires will recoup their investments through toll and non-toll revenues as may be negotiated.
However, eight months after the approval was given, the contractors have yet to proceed to the site, infuriating the minister at a meeting with directors last week.
He said, “This issue has lingered for four years and six months now but this January, we must conclude everything about the successful companies this month. Those companies who are jokers will be taken out. if we have one or two serious contractors, we engage them to take over the project site.”
But speaking during the event held at the ministry headquarters in Abuja, Umahi harped on the need for the committees to work effectively and concertedly bearing in mind the expectations of Nigerians, in terms of transparency, standard, and efficiency in contract negotiations.
He also directed a review of the scope of work and cost implications to accommodate current economic dynamics and the new policy direction of the present administration and charged the concessionaires to abide by the criteria set and the timeline for the projects.
