The Apapa-Oshodi road will last for 40 years when completed, Dangote

Group President/CE of Dangote, Aliko Dangote, told the Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, during an inspection tour of the 35-kilometer Apapa-Oshodi-Oworonsoki-Ojota highway currently under construction by Dangote Industries Limited.
The work began in 2018, as part of a bargain between the company and the Federal Government to enjoy a 10-year tax rebate that accrues to N72.9 Billion. The road has been subject of heavy traffic flow. An initial attempt to work on the road fell apart, it was approved for N15 Billion in 2013, work on the road stopped after the 2015 general elections.

Speaking on Dangote Industries Limited’s struggles, Dangote complained about the congestions at the ports, the gridlock which cost the company about N25 billion in revenue between 2017 and 2019 financial year.
Praising the quality of the road been constructed, Dangote assured that it will revive commerce around the Apapa area.  “This road will actually open up the economy. It will bring a lot of jobs and a lot of factories that have moved out will be able to move back.”

During the inspection, Fashola told members of the press, “ This is the first attempt to rehabilitate the busy road since it was first completed in 1978.”

Fashola also spoke about the economic revival of the Apapa area: “Businesses have started coming back on Liverpool Road because the road closed earlier is now back. You will see more of that.  All of the businesses that are shut on Creek Road will come back. We expect to see property redevelopment and property renewal once the road is completed.”

Fashola also explained that the project will be creating wealth around the surrounding areas as trucks will be needed to convey different materials to the site of the construction, and also labor to help with the process.

“Once the economy of Apapa returns, all the clearing and forwarding, shipping, newspaper companies and all others doing business will resume fully and the economy will bounce back,’’ he said.