By Sogeyinbo Abdulrahmon Olabanji (SIWES student, Gate Way ICT Polytechnic)
The Minister of Works, David Umahi, has announced the formation of three committees to accelerate the implementation of the Highway Development and Management Initiative (HDMI), a Public Private Partnership (PPP) focused on federal highway construction, operations, and maintenance.
The committees will oversee various aspects, including scoping and design, financial due diligence, and agreement review.
Umahi emphasized the importance of transparency, standardization, and efficiency in the committees’ work, aligning with the expectations of Nigerians.
He highlighted the need for a thorough review of the scope and cost of existing concession contracts, considering evolving economic dynamics and the administration’s new policy direction.
Addressing concessionaires, Umahi stressed adherence to set criteria and timelines, ensuring that road infrastructure meets the ministry’s design standards.
He underscored the significance of providing alternative routes and incorporating safety features like CCTV cameras, solar lights, and security measures.
The Minister warned against delays, emphasizing that failure to meet timelines could impact continued collaboration. He called for the disaggregation of cost elements in all future bids, aiming for transparency and realistic project expectations.
Umahi expressed satisfaction with the progress made by nine concessionaires in finalizing designs and urged them to work diligently with the committees for a financial close by the first quarter of 2024.
