One and a half years after he first approached the Federal government, Africa’s richest man Aliko Dangote has today received the go ahead to rebuild the crucial highway that serves Nigeria’s oldest and largest port, Apapa Wharf.
The all clear was delivered by the federal ministry of Power, Works and Housing on the day businesses and commuters in Apapa describe as perhaps the worst they have seen in the traffic gridlock for which the port city has gained notoriety.
The 1.6 kilometre Wharf road runs from the Ijora end of Apapa terminating at the gate into the port.
“Dangote group is delighted that this approval for our CSR initiative has finally been given,” Aliko Dangote told BusinessDay on telephone from Saudi Arabia Friday.
According to him, “Apapa is so central to the economy of Nigeria and we did not require any one persuading us on the need to make this social investment. It is good for Nigeria and it is good for its economy.”
BusinessDay learnt that Power, Works & Housing Minister Babatunde Fashola, himself a former governor of Lagos, will address the media Saturday to unfold the plan for the rebuilding.
Most businesses in Apapa were shut today or closed early as staff battled to get to work.
