Nigeria losses $1 billion to poor roads annually – Dangote

Alhaji Aliko Dangote, President, Dangote Group has stated that the nation losses $1 billion annually due to the poor condition of roads in the country.

Dangote, who made this statement recently during the commissioning of Itori/Ibeshe 26km concrete road in Ogun State, noted that construction of concrete roads was a more viable alternative to asphalt roads, stressing that concrete roads were about 20 per cent cheaper than conventional asphalt roads, and lasts longer as it does not develop potholes.

He explained that cements which constitutes raw materials for construction of concrete roads was locally available compared to bitumen which is imported.

“Roads play an important role in the social and economic development of any nation. I am happy today to announce that in another CSR initiative, we are reconstructing the Ijora Apapa Wharf Road in Lagos State, using cement concrete.

“I am sure those of you that are familiar with the road will appreciate just how critical it is to the evacuation of goods from Apapa Port. The assistance of your Ministry is required to enable us to complete the engineering design and preliminary works for the early take off of the construction of this road.

“Within the next 18 months, we expect to complete the project and bring succour to Lagostians. This concrete road that we are commissioning today, is just one out of the several corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives that we have put in place for our host communities.

“This is in line with our corporate philosophy, which is to impact positively on the lives of members of our host communities everywhere we operate, including outside the shores of the country.”

“I therefore encourage you all to join us, as we strive to find ‘home-made’ solutions to the various challenges that we face as a nation.”