John Alechenu, Abuja

The Minister of Works, Sen. David Umahi and foreign investors from Netherlands have finalised talks aimed at attracting a €25million grant for the construction of priority bridges across Nigeria.

This was contained in a statement signed by Umahi’s Special Adviser (Media), Barrister Orji Uchenna Orji, in Abuja, on Friday.

He said, “ In keeping  with the  initiative to think outside the box in rejiging  the nation’s by  the Renewed Hope administration of the President of Nigeria, His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Minister of Works,  Engr.David Umahi, has finalized discussions  with investors  from Netherland to attract  a grant of  25 million Euros for the construction of priority bridges in Nigeria.

“This  was disclosed  after   a meeting  of the Honourable Minister of Works  with a team of investors  from Netherland led by the Nigerian Ambassador to  Netherland, His Excellency Oluremi Oliyide.

“The Honourable Minister assured  the team of the positive disposition of the 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. He assured the  investors that once due diligence  was carried out, he would present  the proposal to Mr. President  for  approval.

Umahi 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 Netherlands explained that the team was  in the Minister’s 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.