By Stella Odueme
Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, has chaired the 23rd Ministerial Steering Committee Meeting of the Abidjan-Lagos Corridor Highway Development Project in Lomé, Togo, as efforts intensify to advance the regional infrastructure initiative.
Umahi, who chairs the Steering Committee, is leading discussions involving representatives of participating West African countries and development partners on the progress, financing and implementation of the project.
The meeting, held on Friday, according to his Senior Special Assistant on Media, Francis Nwaze, focused on strengthening regional connectivity, facilitating cross-border trade and promoting economic integration among countries along the Abidjan-Lagos corridor.
Ahead of the ministerial meeting, the Committee of Experts, comprising project directors and engineers, held its 23rd Technical Meeting on October 26 and 27 to assess progress on the various components of the project.
The technical discussions covered the project's right-of-way, advancement of technical studies, operationalisation of the Abidjan-Lagos Corridor Management Authority (ALCoMA) and mobilisation of investment financing by the African Development Bank (AfDB), which serves as the project's Mandatory Lead Arranger.
The experts also reviewed complementary initiatives being implemented by development partners to support the integrated development of the corridor.
At the ministerial meeting, participants are expected to consider and adopt the report and recommendations of the Committee of Experts, while deliberating on outstanding issues and agreeing on measures to accelerate project implementation.
The AfDB is also expected to brief the committee on efforts to mobilise investment financing, while the ALCoMA Board of Directors will present reports and recommendations from its first and second meetings for consideration and possible approval.
The Abidjan-Lagos Corridor Highway Development Project is a major regional infrastructure initiative designed to improve transportation links, ease the movement of people and goods, boost trade and strengthen economic cooperation among participating West African countries.
The Federal Ministry of Works, under Umahi's leadership and President Bola Tinubu's administration, has continued to prioritise infrastructure development as a key driver of economic growth, regional integration and shared prosperity.