The 21st steering commitee of the Abidjan-Lagos Corridor Highway Development Project has adopted the communique presented by road infrastructure experts saddled to oversee types and cost in designing the 1,068 km road from Lagos to Abidjan, aimed at promoting trade among west African States.
Recall that Chairman of the 21st steering committee, the Minister of Works of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Sen. Engr. Nweze David Umahi, CON had informed journalists at the meeting that himself and other Minister of works from respective member states in ECOWAS will be going into a close-door meeting to listen to road infrastructure experts so as to conclude the type of design for the road and procurement processes.
The chairman of the Committee of Experts, Engr. Ebere IZUNOBI, presented the report of the Experts’ meeting to the Steering Committee.
Following deliberations on the report, the Steering Committee adopted the recommendations of the report and concluded as follows:
Status of the Project Components
Feasibility and Detailed Design Studies
The Steering Committee noted the Detailed Design Study report as a working document considering the revisions required on elements such as the cost per kilometre, pavement choices and financing options.
The final approval will be granted on the reception of the revised reports which considers all comments made by Member States and ECOWAS.
In this regard, they urged ECOWAS to ensure that the Consultants submit all Revised Engineering Design Reports by December 2024 as agreed at the technical validation workshop.
The Steering Committee took note of the urgency required to finalize the tunnel study by the end June, 2025.
They commended the ECOWAS Commission for financing the Feasibility and Preliminary Design Study of the Tunnel from its internal funds.
Member States will review the cost estimate proposed by the design consultants bearing in mind the national construction rates on similar projects in the countries with a view to finding an optimal total project cost.
On the possibility of using PPP financing for sections of the highway, the Ministers noted that the Phase 4 Reports on “Financing and Implementation Strategy” will clearly outline the financing options (Public, Private, PPP, etc.) for each section of the Corridor highway.
ECOWAS will organize a virtual meeting of the Steering Committee, as well as technical and financing partners, to consider the financial and implementation options as well as available financing facilities from development financing institutions and private financiers for the construction.
The meeting outcome will enable the Ministers to advise the Heads of State and Government to make an informed decision on the best financing approach for their respective project sections.
Corridor Management “Operationalization of ALCoMA”
The Steering Committee took note of the progress made in the provision of hosting facilities, strategy for the commencement of ALCoMA, and the preparation of a draft Headquarters Agreement. Member States will provide their comments on the draft Headquarters Agreement to the ECOWAS Commission by October 4, 2024.
The Commission will send the revised Document to the Government of Cote d’Ivoire by October 11, 2024, for the finalization of the Agreement.
The Steering Committee agreed to amend the Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) to remove any ambiguity in the criteria regarding the Public Sector nominee. In this regard, Member States shall submit proposed amendments or changes to the IGA to the ECOWAS Commission.
A revised Intergovernmental Agreement will be considered and validated by the Steering Committee.
Based on the amendment, Member States will then revalidate their nominees for the ALCoMA Board and re-submit to the ECOWAS Commission. The Steering Committee will then inaugurate the ALCoMA Board virtually.
The Steering Committee approved the proposed schedule annexed to the Experts Meeting report for the establishment of ALCoMA.
Other matters
Considering that the AfDB and other partners have affirmed commitment to provide concessionary and non-concessionary financing to contribute to the construction of the highway, ECOWAS and the Corridor Countries will organize preliminary financing meetings with AfDB, EBID, AFC and other financiers on raising the necessary financing for the construction of the corridor highway following the completion of the Design Studies.
Next meeting
The next Steering Committee meeting will be held in December 2024 in the Togolese Republic. ECOWAS Commission will consult the Chairman and the Sector Minister from the host Country, to determine the exact dates.
CLOSING
The Ministers expressed their deepest gratitude to His Excellency Bola Ahmed TINUBU, President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria for graciously hosting the meeting and saluted his his leadership and commitment, as Chairman of ECOWAS, to achieving regional integration and interconnectivity, economic prosperity and peace for all community citizens. They acknowledged with thanks the facilities and warm hospitality extended to all participants by Sen. Engr. Nweze David UMAHI, Honourable Minister of Works.
The Ministers commended the President of the ECOWAS Commission and the Commissioner for Infrastructure, Energy, and Digitalization for their remarkable initiative in financing the Feasibility and Preliminary Design Study of the Tunnel using internal funds.
In conclusion, the Chairman of the Steering Committee expressed gratitude to his fellow Ministers for their collaborative spirit and pertinent contributions during the meeting’s deliberations. He extended gratitude to the experts and development partners for their respective roles in ensuring the meeting’s success.
Lastly, the Chairman expressed his confidence that the agreements and decisions taken will significantly contribute to the development of a robust and interconnected corridor highway infrastructure that will serve as the backbone for regional economic growth and integration of our people.