ABUJA – President Goodluck Jonathan said on Wednesday that his administration would continue to provide better and safer road network for Nigerians to promote socio-economic development.
Jonathan said this while declaring open the 1st Africa Regional Congress of the International Road Federation in Abuja.
Jonathan, who was represented by Vice-President Namadi Sambo, said that the Federal Government was giving so much attention to the provision of better and safer roads based on the belief that a good and well-maintained road network was the bedrock of an efficient economy.
“This administration has embarked on an ambitious programme to restore and modernise the country’s road network.
“This we are achieving through enhanced government investment as well as participation of the private sector and multi-lateral development institutions.
“We are also putting in place best practices to drive Public-Private sector Partnership (PPP) in road sector development and all other areas.
“Our overall aim is to provide better and safer roads for Nigerians, as well as enhance socio-economic development,“ he said
The President said that the gains of improved and sustained government investment in the road sector were manifesting nationwide.
He urged the congress to discuss how to address the challenges hindering the full development of the road sector, especially in Africa.
“Government policy makers and other road sector stakeholders in member countries will look forward to the outcome and resolution of your congress as a credible guide in moving the sector forward.
“I am confident that you shall meet these high expectations,“ he added.
He noted that the critical Trans-African Road Projects, such as the Lagos-Algiers; Lagos-Abidjan-Dakar and the Mombasa roads were at various stages of implementation, under the auspices of the Programme for Infrastructure Development in Africa.
Jonathan commended the federation for its advocacy and for influencing policy formulation in member-countries over the years.
In his remarks, the President of the International Road Federation, Mr Patrick Sankey, praised the Federal Government on its roads transformation efforts.
He stated that the federation would continue to partner all its member-countries in the development of their road networks.
The Minister of Works, Mr Mike Onolememen, said the congress had delegates from at least 17 countries including U.S., Belgium, Canada, Germany, UK, UAE, Libya, India, and South Africa.
Others countries being represented are Tanzania, Sudan, Uganda, Mali, Zambia, Cameroun and Burkina Faso.(
