The minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola disclosed that the Federal Government has initiated a three-year plan to ensure that roads would be constructed in the six geo-political zones of Nigeria.
This was contained in a release signed by the Special Assistant to the minister on communication, Mr. Hakeem Bello.
The plan according to the release, was announced by the minister at the just concluded National Council on Works in Katsina State with the topic: “Prioritization and Optimization of Allocated Infrastructure Funds”
The minister assured that the plan which will be implemented between 2017 and 2019 has been transferred to the ministry of budget and planning for inclusion in the 2017 budget and future national planning data.
He noted that the plan was aimed at connecting states within each zone and across the country, however, he expressed regrets that with the limited resources at the government’s disposal, key roads have to be prioritized.
The Minister said government would be guided in its choices by such factors as inputs from the Ministry of Agriculture and Co-Operatives, who, according to him, have provided data of critical roads in each of the six zones that are necessary to help evacuate farm produce to market.
“Also roads leading to and from fuel depots will be high on the priority of choices because of the need to develop mining business and evacuate mining products and petroleum cargo to fuel the nation’s energy need.”
He said that government has also given priority to roads leading to and from the nation’s major sea and airports because of the need to support the business of traders and importers.
According to the Minister, government has also giving priority to roads that carry very heavy traffic in order to reach more people with its limited resources because of the need to move large numbers of commuters, adding that while government could not build all roads in one year, a faithful implementation of the plan would ensure equitable delivery of better roads across the country.
He declared, “Therefore, while it is true that we cannot build all roads in one year or even in three years, we are convinced that a faithful implementation of our plan, and the rational basis of our choices will deliver a better road experience, improved journey times and aid economic recovery in the short to medium term.”
Fashola also announced that Government has set in motion moves to form partnership and build synergy with state governments in order to deliver safe and motorable roads across the country adding, however, that success of the moves would depend on a number of factors, some of which were in the control of the states and some of which were in the control of the Federal Government.