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FG Assures on Advancing 1,028km Lagos–Abidjan Highway

From ThisDay · (12m ago) English Positive tone

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

TLDR

  • The Nigerian federal government reaffirms its commitment to the 1,028km Lagos–Abidjan Corridor project.
  • This regional highway aims to significantly enhance trade and connectivity across West Africa.
  • The project, supported by ECOWAS and the African Development Bank, will feature modern road design standards for durability.

Nigeria is doubling down on its commitment to the transformative Lagos–Abidjan Corridor, a monumental 1,028-kilometer highway project poised to reshape West African trade and connectivity. Minister of Works, David Umahi, recently convened a high-level meeting in Abuja with delegations from the ECOWAS Commission and the African Development Bank (AfDB) to underscore this dedication and address outstanding technical and financing matters.

This initiative, championed by President Bola Tinubu's administration, aligns with the government's core agenda of prioritizing infrastructure development. Umahi emphasized that the Lagos–Abidjan corridor is being developed to mirror the scale and ambition of Nigeria's ongoing Sokoto–Badagry Superhighway. The project's design incorporates advanced features such as reinforced concrete pavement and three lanes on each carriageway, adhering to modern road design standards intended for long-term durability and efficiency.

The Lagos–Abidjan corridor, spanning about 1,028 kilometres, is being developed to match the scale and ambition of Nigeria’s ongoing Sokoto–Badagry Superhighway.

— David UmahiMinister of Works, highlighting the project's scale and ambition.

Representing Nigeria as the Chairman of the Steering Committee, Umahi's engagement with ECOWAS Director of Transport, Chris Appiah, signifies a collaborative effort to propel the project forward. The corridor's strategic importance lies in its potential to seamlessly connect Cote D’Ivoire, Ghana, Togo, Benin, and Nigeria, fostering economic integration and facilitating smoother cross-border commerce. This project is not merely about building a road; it's about laying the foundation for a more prosperous and interconnected West Africa, with Nigeria playing a pivotal role in its realization.

The mission was part of ongoing consultations with member states.

— Chris AppiahECOWAS Director of Transport, explaining the purpose of the meeting.
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Originally published by ThisDay. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.