Infrastructure: FG pledges to sustain private sector participation

Following successes recorded by Dangote Nigeria Plc and Lafarge Plc in infrastructure provision, the Federal Government, yesterday, pledged to sustain private sector involvement in the provision of critical infrastructure in the country.

Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Raji Fashola, disclosed this when he led key officials of the ministry on inspection tour of some road projects in Lagos.

He said the model will be applied at the Power and Housing sector, stressing that although it is not the responsibility of private sector to provide infrastructure, global development propels the private sector in that direction to drive commercial activities.

The minister said the Federal Government appreciates the civil obligation demonstrated by Dangote Industries Limited and Lafarge Plc; as well as Flour Mills of Nigeria (FMN) in the ongoing reconstruction of the 2 kilometre road valued at N4.6b.

The minister said the federal government is looking at expanding the model, while the private sector can plough back their expenses on infrastructure through tax rebate.

Praising works done so far at Wharf road by AG Dangote, despite the challenges of discovering gas pipeline on the drains, which affected excavation works, Fashola assured on the contractor’s pledged to deliver within one year, with the arrival of the SP 500 concrete laying machine rearing to go as soon as the ongoing excavation work is completed.