President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has awarded the contract for the reconstruction of the East-West Road in Nigeria’s Niger Delta region to the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation Limited (CCECC).
The announcement was made during Tinubu’s working visit to the corporate headquarters of CCECC in Beijing on Monday.
The East-West Road is a vital expressway that traverses several states in the Niger Delta, connecting key economic hubs.
Over the years, the road has deteriorated significantly, affecting the livelihoods of millions of Nigerians who rely on it for transportation and trade.
The rehabilitation and reconstruction of this road have been long overdue, and President Tinubu’s decision to award the contract to CCECC reflects his administration’s commitment to addressing this critical infrastructure challenge.
During the meeting in Beijing, President Tinubu expressed confidence in CCECC’s ability to deliver high-quality work, citing the company’s successful track record in Nigeria.
“We have seen the excellent work carried out by your company in Nigeria, and I want to assure you here that I will sign the contract for the East-West Road for you to reconstruct before I leave here,” Tinubu stated.
The awarding of the East-West Road project is part of a broader agenda by the Nigerian government to enhance the country’s infrastructure through strategic international partnerships.
The relationship between Nigeria and China, particularly in the realm of infrastructure development, has been steadily growing over the years.
CCECC, a prominent player in this partnership, has been involved in several key projects across Nigeria, including the construction of railways, airports, and major highways.
In recent years, CCECC has played a pivotal role in the development of Nigeria’s railway infrastructure, notably the Lagos-Ibadan rail line, which has improved transportation and reduced travel time between these two major cities.
President Tinubu highlighted that his government is eager to continue working with CCECC on other critical projects, such as the laying of new tracks along the Lagos-Abuja-Kano rail line, among others.
“We have gone beyond the issue of funding and are now very ready for business,” Tinubu assured the Chinese construction firm, signaling Nigeria’s readiness to advance these projects.
Ahead of President Tinubu’s visit, a delegation from Nigeria’s Ministry of Transportation, led by the Honourable Minister of Transportation, Senator Sa’id Alkali, met with senior officials of CCECC in Beijing.
The meeting aimed to evaluate the progress made in enhancing Nigeria’s railway infrastructure through the collaborative efforts of the Ministry and CCECC.
According to a statement from the Ministry, the gathering provided an opportunity for both parties to reflect on the successes of completed projects and to discuss ongoing ones.
