By Mashe Umaru Gwamna
The Federal Government, through the Federal Ministry of Works, has signed Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with Messrs Hitech Africa Limited and Infiouest International Limited for the execution of key legacy road projects under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The agreements were signed at the Ministry’s headquarters in Abuja during a ceremony attended by the Minister of Works, David Umahi, the Permanent Secretary, directors of the ministry, and representatives of the contracting firms led by their managing directors.
In a statement issued by the Director of Information and Public Relations, Mohammed A. Ahmed, the ministry described the agreements as another major step in the Federal Government’s ongoing infrastructure renewal programme across the country.
Speaking during the ceremony, Umahi described the projects as strategic investments aimed at boosting economic growth, improving connectivity, and strengthening national integration.
“Many people initially doubted and criticised these projects, but today they have seen the reality. These are not just road projects; they are investments that will stimulate economic growth and enhance national development,” the minister said.
He commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for translating campaign promises into tangible infrastructural development across the country.
Umahi also praised the contractors handling the projects for their professionalism and commitment to quality delivery, noting that the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project, once criticised by skeptics, has become a symbol of engineering excellence and economic potential.
“When we started the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, many doubted its feasibility, but today the project has become a beauty to behold and an economic catalyst for Nigeria,” he stated.
The minister disclosed that Section II of the Calabar-Ebonyi-Abuja Superhighway stretches through Ebonyi, Benue, Kogi and Nasarawa states, while Section IV of the Sokoto-Badagry Superhighway passes through Oyo State.
He added that Section V of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway traverses difficult swampy terrain in Akwa Ibom State, requiring extensive excavation and reinforcement works.
“This is not an ordinary road project. It is an investment designed to last for 100 years with minimal maintenance,” Umahi added.
He further explained that the projects are being executed under the Engineering, Procurement, Construction and Financing (EPC+F) model, stressing that contracts would not be subjected to arbitrary cost reviews except under unforeseen circumstances.
According to him, the Federal Government will provide 30 per cent counterpart funding, while the remaining financing will be sourced through structured funding arrangements. He added that the roads would eventually be tolled upon completion to ensure sustainability and return on investment.
Managing Director of Hitech Africa Limited, Dany Abboud, assured the government of the company’s readiness to deliver the projects within, or even ahead of, the 36-month completion timeline.
“Hitech remains fully committed to delivering these projects to international standards, even better than what has already been achieved on Section I of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway,” he said.
Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Rafiu Adeladan, described the projects as evidence of the Tinubu administration’s commitment to transforming Nigeria’s infrastructure landscape.
He also commended Umahi for what he described as visionary leadership in repositioning the road sector.
The agreements signed include the Calabar-Ebonyi-Abuja Superhighway Section II covering Ebonyi-Benue-Kogi-Nasarawa axis; Section IV of the Sokoto-Badagry Superhighway in Oyo State; Section V of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway in Akwa Ibom State; and Section II of the dualisation of the Akwanga-Jos-Bauchi-Gombe-Biu-Maiduguri Road covering the Gombe-Biu axis.
Also speaking, Director of Highways, Bridges and Design, Musa Sa’idu, said the projects form part of the Federal Government’s strategic infrastructure development programme under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
He disclosed that the agreements cover about 82.8 kilometres of dual carriageway on the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway in Akwa Ibom State, about 180 kilometres on Section IV of the Sokoto-Badagry Superhighway, and approximately 125 kilometres on the Biu-Gombe section of the Akwanga-Maiduguri corridor.
Never miss a moment! Get the stories shaping Nigeria, delivered straight to your phone. Follow Peoplesdaily Newspaper on WhatsApp for breaking news, exclusive reports, and the headlines everyone will be talking about, before anyone else.
