FG, Dangote Sign N4.3bn MoU For Rebuilding Of Apapa Wharf Road

BY GEORGE OKOJIE, Lagos
The federal government and Dangote Flour Mills companies yesterday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to construct a two kilometres road between the Nigerian Port Authority and the end of the bridge for a period of one year.
The Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, said this at the official signing of the MoU and handing over of the project to the sponsors.
It was learnt that the N4.34 billion project is jointly sponsored by Dangote Flour Mills companies and the federal government.
The minister explained that the use of Dangote for the construction was to give the road a better outlook with the use of concrete, saying the construction is to resolve the challenges usually encountered on the road.
Fashola said, “We are embarking on what will be the final solution to the massive inconvenience. Businesses and residents in Apapa and its environment have had to endure for a couple of years.
“I will like to acknowledge the leadership role of Dangote and Flour Mills who are operators and have also contributed to making this a reality. They are doing this as a total Corporate Responsibility without asking for tax holiday or reduction. We are also working on how to ensure free access to Tin Can Island.
“From today that we are handing over the project, the road will take one year to be completed. We need the cooperation of all the stakeholders. There will be some discomfort on the way but we appeal for tolerance and perseverance. It will continue to get better, people should please ensure more to solve the challenge”.
Also speaking, a representative of Dangote company, Engr Joseph Makoju, said it was co-sponsoring the project to provide an enabling environment for businesses in the area.
He said, “This is part of our CSR. Businesses have to engage the community where they operate. Today’s CSR has gone to a higher level where we find ourselves embarking on a major infrastructural project”.
Also speaking, the managing director of the Flour Mills, Paul Gbededo, appealed to the federal government to place priority on repairing other sections of Apapa.
“Apapa has become a very difficult place to work. With this project that the federal government has allowed us to embark on, it will give succour to business. It has the biggest port in Nigeria and should not be taken with levity”.