The Chief Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led administration is set to invest a substantial sum of N11.54 trillion in enhancing security infrastructure, installing CCTV cameras on nine highways across the nation.
The initiative, spearheaded by the Minister of Works, David Umahi, involves the installation of Closed Circuit Television Cameras (CCTVs) and solar lighting to ensure both safety and visibility on the roads.
In an official statement released by Umahi’s media aide, Orji Uchenna, it was revealed that three committees have been inaugurated to expedite the implementation of this ambitious project.
The initiative, structured as a Public Private Partnership (PPP), aims to leverage private-sector investment for the construction, operations, and maintenance of the highways.
The program, spanning a 25-year concession period, is designed for concessionaires to recoup their investments through toll and non-toll revenues. The federal government anticipates revenue generation exceeding N11.54 trillion during this period.
However, eight months after the approval was given, the contractors have yet to proceed to the site, infuriating the minister at a meeting with directors last week.
While addressing the delay in project commencement at a recent meeting with directors, Minister Umahi expressed frustration, emphasising the need to conclude the selection of serious contractors within January.
He underscored the importance of transparency, standardization, and efficiency in the negotiations, aligning with the expectations of the Nigerian public.
READ ALSO: Makinde Laments Worsening Poverty Under Tinubu
Umahi directed a comprehensive review of the scope of work and associated costs to accommodate current economic dynamics and the administration’s policy direction.
Emphasizing the importance of road safety, he mandated the inclusion of CCTV cameras, solar lights, and enhanced security measures on all designated highways.
Umahi stated, “We own the design, you will own the cost of the project while we carry out verification on the cost of the projects; the idea is to scope the projects. We want to have a standard road infrastructure to toll.
“Our business is to ensure that your design conforms with the ministry’s standard of design, that is why we are making the Director of Roads and Bridges of the ministry the Chairman of the Committee on Scoping and Design. We don’t want to do just a patch on the road and give it to the public for you to toll. The public will resist. We want to have a standard road to toll.
“We have to provide an alternative road because by law you cannot toll road if there is no alternative route to it. Every one of the projects must have alternative routes. The number of toll gates and toll stations will be determined by the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission.
“We also have to put CCTV Camera, Solar Light and Security on our roads. Whatever that will make our roads safer is very important to us. All these must be considered part of the business.”
To ensure the success of the project, the minister established three committees – Scoping and Design, Financial, and Due Diligence and Agreement Review Committee.
The Due Diligence Committee has been given a deadline to finalize the selection of serious contractors by the end of March 2024.
“We must have a figure to begin to work with under the Due Diligence Committee, we want to hand over all these sites to people who are serious by the end of March 2024. Enough of these meetings, enough of the bureaucracy,” Umahi disclosed.