President Bola Tinubu, Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, and Minister of Works David Umahi, among others, have commended President of Dangote Industries Limited Aliko Dangote and HiTech Construction for their roles in the completion of the Oworonshoki-Apapa expressway.

Tinubu, who was represented by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, said the 37 kilometres road, which commenced in 2018 by former President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration and completed in 2024, is a win for all Nigerians.

He said the importance of Lagos State to Nigeria makes it vital and as such must work for the benefit of Nigerians.

Tinubu said: “Lagos is home to all, I thank Mr Dangote for coming up with this initiative and in partnership with HiTech have delivered the Tenth Wonder of The World.

“Lagos is not the only state experiencing growth and development under the renewed hope agenda. I also congratulate the Minister of Works David Umahi for his passionate commitment to structural development across Nigeria.”

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Speaking on the “extremely poor” condition of the Oworonshoki-Apapa expressway before December 2018, Dangote stressed that the road “severely hampered the evacuation of goods and restricted access to the markets, paralyzing the shipping and manufacturing industries and disrupting supply chains across the entire economic landscape.”

He added: “Before the completion of this road, it used to take two weeks before we get to the port and in about 18 months, we lost over N60 billion in demurrage.

“The successful completion of this project is an example of the positive impact that can be achieved when the public sector collaborates with the private sector.

“Utilising the visionary framework of Executive Order 007 in Road Infrastructure Development and Refurbishment Investment Tax Credit Scheme, the Dangote Group has been able to mobilise capital for complete refurbishment of the entire 37 kilometres length of Apapa-Isolo-Oworonshoki road and its expansion to 10 lanes.”

Dangote noted that the company was privileged to partner with the federal government in the transformative efforts, reaffirming its commitment to national development and prosperity.

In his remarks, Umahi commended the Dangote Group for delivering “a well-executed project”, adding that the quality of the Dangote Cement is a testament to the value seen on the road.

On his part, Sanwo-Olu, who was represented by his deputy, Obafemi Hamzat, said about 20 companies had relocated from the Apapa axis of the state owing to the condition of the Oworonshoki-Apapa road.

He said: “The state of the road is unimaginable. We are grateful to Aliko Dangote, HiTech for the excellent job they did.

“It used to take over seven hours to drive from one end of the road to the other, it now takes around an hour.”

The Star