ENUGU, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)- The Ogun State Government has received the green light from the Federal Government of Nigeria to undertake the repair and tolling of the Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway.
This was announced by the Minister of Works, David Umahi, who revealed the decision during a post-Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting briefing held at the Aso Villa.
The Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway has been a long-standing source of frustration for motorists and travelers due to its deteriorating condition, prompting repeated calls for government intervention.
Umahi, in explaining the plan, indicated that the project would be executed under the framework of the Highway Development and Management Initiative (HDMI).
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Additionally, the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC) and the Federal Ministry of Finance will play essential roles in overseeing the process, marking a significant step toward addressing the longstanding issues associated with this vital transportation artery.
Umahi said, “On permission to build federal roads, when such requests are made, we give approval within 24 hours but then there are conditions to be met – they must have to use the Federal Ministry of Works standard designs.”
“Under HDMI, when they (state governments) finish the roads, they have to toll it. There is a maximum number of years they have to toll it, recoup their money and then the funds will have to start coming into Federation Account and that is why we are very much interested in how much the road is going to cost and to adopt the standard procedure in road construction and design. This is very important.
“An example of this system — HDMI – was the approval of Lagos-Otta-Abeokuta today (Monday) for Ogun State Government to build and toll.”