By Abiola Peters
President Bola Tinubu has appealed to Governors of states to collaborate with the federal government before awarding building approvals.
The President who spoke during inauguration of additional seven projects in the Southern and Northern parts of the country, including the four Legacy Projects, particularly noted for revocation approvals on setbacks along the Lagos Calabar Coastal Highway.
He said proper approval of alignments between the states and federal government, would facilitate the construction of major roads and bridges across the country, adding that such collaboration reduces the burdens of compensation and delay in actualising people – oriented projects.
President Tinubu who physically inaugurated the 27km Lekki Deep Sea Port Dual Carriageway Access Road and bridges at the Dangote Refinery and Petrochemical Plant in Lagos, virtually inaugurated six other roads and flagged off thirteen road projects across the Southern and Northern parts of the country.
He expressed delight for the outcome of the Access Road and bridges to the Lekki Deep Seaport, which he initiated as Governor and commended Dangote Group for taking up the Tax Credit offer, as the project confirms another commitment of his administration to stimulation of economic growth and job creation.
The President equally lauded business mogul, Alhaji Aliko Dangote for the Dangote Refinery and Petrochemical Plant, which he had earlier inspected, describing it as a great phenomenon and investment.
He commended the Minister of Works, Mr David Umahi for proving the results of different requests for Rescoping and Variation of contracts, stating that the administration will continue to reengineer its finances to achieve transformative actions.
In his remarks, Minister of Works, Mr David Umahi reiterated that the Lekki Deep Sea Port Dual Carriageway Access Road and bridges, would eliminate challenges being faced at the ports in Apapa, while appreciating the support of the President on actualisation of the Renewed Hope Agenda on Infrastructure.
Mr Umahi noted that the Legacy Projects which are the Lagos – Calabar Coastal Highway, Sokoto – Badagry Superhighway, the Calabar – Abuja Superhighway (Trans- Saharan Trade Route) and the Akwanga – Jos – Bauchi – Gombe Road, were at various stages of construction and targeted for completion by the present administration.
Kaduna State Governor, Alhaji Uba Sani, while speaking on behalf of Governors of Lagos Ogun, Abia, Enugu, Plateau and Borno, said President Tinubu has played up governance over politics, affirming that his support to subnational governments is unprecedented in the country.
Highpoint of the event which attracted leadership of the National Assembly, Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Chief Gboyega Oyetola and Captains of Industry, was the naming of the Lekki Deep Seaport Access Road after President Tinubu by Alhaji Aliko Dangote.