By Abayomi Elias
The Minister of works from member state of Economic Community of West African States ECOWAS have met with experts in road infrastructure from respective states to brainstorm and ratify agreed design on the Abidjan-Lagos Corridor Highway Development Project.
Newsconnect reports that the Abidjan-Lagos Corridor Highway Development Project 21st steering commitee which include Minister of works Cote D’Ivoire , Minister of works Ghana, Minister of works Nigeria, among other Ministers promised to issue a communique of their resolution after their closed door meeting.
The Minister of works and Infrastructure in Nigeria His Excellency David Umahi in an interview with journalists at the event said the committee agreed to do road project about a thousand and sixty eight kilometers from Lagos to Abidjan to promote trade and tourism between west African States. He said the design of the project ESIA, the conceptualisation, funding mechanism have been on since the past 11 years.
In his words, he said;
“Today we are going to be listening to committee of experts in terms of the design. We believe we will finalize and approve the design today, and then set the goal for procurement probably in our next meeting.
“We are going to be dialoguing at a close door meeting, we will implement the agreement of the Ministers and the Presidents. We will issue a communique at the end of the close door meeting”.
The Minister of roads and highways in Ghana Mr Franncis Aseno Boakye in an interview with journalists at the event said;
“We all know the importance of road infrastructure. Infrastructure engineers the economic development of communities and countries.
“When it comes to road, bridges, you are promoting trade, promoting tourism, promoting economic activities and general social life.
“Countries like United States started economic boom because they were able to connect their individual state through highways. I believe that is the fundamental understanding we have to connect these important countries in west Africa through the trans west Africa highway.
“So without doubt, infrastructure and road highway infrastructure particularly help in accelerating socio economic development of their respective countries. I have no doubt, when this project is realize finally, it is going to transform the economic development of respective countries involved.
“Because we are going to move goods and services easily, trade will be promoted. It will increase mobility and accessibility. We will be able to trade among the countries, and that will spur economic growth and development”.
Mr Kougkou Ameole Honourable Minister for works Cote D’voire thanked all the Minister, that he will push all things discussed to the government of Cote D’voire in order to FasTrack the project