The Honourable Minister of Works, Sen. Engr. Nweze David Umahi has finalized discussions with investors from Netherland to attract a grant of 25 million Euros for construction of priority bridges in Nigeria.
This came in keeping with the initiative to think outside the box in rejiging the nation’s economy by Renewed Hope administration of the President of Nigeria, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The agreement was made after a meeting of the Honourable Minister of Works with team of investors from Netherland led by Nigerian Ambassador to Netherland, His Excellency Oluremi Oliyide.
Umahi while speaking at the meeting, assured the team of the positive disposition of Federal Government towards accessing international interventions from donor agencies and other development partners to address the infrastructural deficits inhibiting economic development in Nigeria.
He said that an increase in partnerships and collaborations was necessary to support the funding of the critical sector of the economy for the promotion of robust and equitable economic growth.
As contained in a statement released by his adviser, Umahi also assured the investors that once due diligence was carried out, he would present the proposal to Mr. President for approval.
He said” We have a number of projects that we can do together. But I think the best thing to do is to conclude this one, which is a grant, then get the process started, and at the point of agreement and project selection, we shal refer to Mr. President for his approval”.
In his earlier remarks, the Nigerian Ambassador to Netherland said the team was in his office to discuss the offer of a grant of 25 million Euros by Janson Bridging International for investment in road infrastructure in Nigeria.
According to him, “Janson Bridging is the largest modular bridge manufacturing and bridging company in continental Europe and the largest bridge rental company in the world.
“He promised to assist in fastracking the agreement implementation process on the side of the company as soon as all formalizations were concluded.
On his own part, a member of the team and International Business Consultant, Eric Okunde, said the investors were ready with the proposal and that they were technically prepared to work with the Federal Ministry of Works in the mapping and design of the projects as well as the formulation of the template for the execution of the project.