The Federal Government has approved the inauguration of work on the section of the road linking Nigeria with the Republic of Benin.
The Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola, disclosed this at the 12th Ministerial Steering Committee and Experts Meeting for the Abidjan-Lagos Corridor Highway Development Programme in Togo.
Fashola, according to a statement issued on Sunday by his Special Adviser on Communications, Mr Hakeem Bello, said the project would be done in a flexible way.
This, he noted, would help to improve commuter service while also making it adaptable to the results of the feasibility and technical studies.
Fashola said that the feasibility, technical, financial and related contracts for the project had been signed.
The minister, who is also the chairman of the ministerial committee overseeing the project, expressed delight that while those who inaugurated the initiative had changed, the commitment to the project had not changed.
He described the project as a testimony to the strong bond among the ECOWAS countries to pursue common goals and aspirations to ensure the development of the sub-region in terms of standard of living for the people.
Fashola added that the development of the corridor would enhance rapid integration that was already existing in other economic blocs of the world.
He also said that it would improve socio-economic activities among the West African countries.
Noting that road development drives economic growth, the minister said there was an urgent need for the West African sub-region to pursue such development to keep abreast with the fast growing economies in Asia and South America.
This, he noted, would help to reduce the level of youth migration from the continent.
He reiterated the commitment of President Muhammadu Buhari to the realisation of the Abidjan-Lagos Corridor for enhanced trade and communication within the sub-region, adding that Nigeria has signed the financing agreement.
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