By GABRIEL ENOGHOLASE
MINISTER of State for Works, Engr. Chris Ogiemwonyi, yesterday, in Benin, Edo State, disclosed that the Federal Government may consider the involvement of the private sector for the full reconstruction of the Benin-Ore-Lagos Road.

He also disclosed that the rehabilitation work currently on-going on the road will terminate at Ofosu, the boundary town between Edo and Ondo States and was expected to be completed by November, 2012.

Ogiemwonyi  made these disclosures during an interactive session with journalists in Benin.

He explained that the Federal Government decided to embark on the project in phases because of the high cost involved in the construction of the road, which is now over 30 years.

“What we are doing is a palliative measure,” he added.

The remedy for the Benin-Ofosu-Shagamu road is a full reconstruction because of the age of the road. It is an expensive project.

‘Government alone cannot do it which is why we are looking at Public Private Partnership in the reconstruction of the road.”

He said the participating private sectors on the road reconstruction would be allowed to operate toll gates to enable them recover cost expended on the road.