The President/Chief Executive Officer of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, has said that the 35-kilometre Apapa-Oshodi expressway, when completed, has the capacity to last for 40 years.
Mr Dangote gave the assurance on Monday when he took the Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, on an inspection tour of the project.
According to Mr Dangote, the road will revive commerce around the Apapa area, while bringing an end to the perennial gridlock.
“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.
“We expect that by the end of 2020, the entire road network will be finished; you will have a road that will last for 40 years,” Mr Dangote said.
Speaking during the inspection, Mr Fashola said, “the Federal Government is dedicated to the speedy completion of the highway to provide a lasting solution to the problems of bad roads, and gridlocks.”
He added: “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.”
Mr Fashola explained that the economy around the ongoing road construction will provide jobs and opportunities for Nigerians.
“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 noted.
