Fashola, while inspecting the project with the President of the Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, disclosed that the reconstruction of the road would be completed by the end of 2020.

He said the plan was to complete the expressway in record time to reduce congestion of trucks going to the ports and ease traffic on that axis, noting that the rehabilitation and reconstruction of the road, which will cost about N73bn, will create multiple employment opportunities.

“All these roads have a completion period of 24 months and we have already spent one year on the road,” he added.

Fashola stated that businesses were gradually returning to the Apapa area following the reconstruction of roads on the axis.

He said, “Businesses have started coming back on Liverpool Road because the road closed earlier is now back. You will see more of that. All of the businesses that are shut on Creek Road will come back. We expect to see property redevelopment and property renewal once the road is completed.

“Once the economy of Apapa returns, all the clearing and forwarding, shipping, newspaper companies and all others doing business will resume fully and the economy will bounce back.”

The minister also stated that section two of the project which was not part of the original contract, was already showing signs of failure, due to heavy traffic.

“We are at the Oshodi area now and one side has been concluded and opened to traffic and this is how we intend to continue to complete and open, until we finish the entire road,” he added.

Fashola also appealed to road users to be patient during the period of the construction.

Dangote said many companies left the area because of the bad roads and congestion at the ports, adding that in 2017 and 2018, his companies lost over N25bn.

“The reconstruction of the road is already bringing business back to the environment. Before now, the bad roads had crippled economic activities on that axis especially around Apapa,” he said.

In his keynote address at the launch of the 2019 Future Awards Africa in Abuja, Dare said that the ministry will push for the establishment and institutionalisation of the Nigerian National Youth and Sports Award.

He said the awards, which would become operational in 2020, would motivate Nigerian youths and encourage them to embrace hard work, healthy work ethics and community development.

“Recently, the National Council on Youth Development adopted and approved the observance of a National Youth Day for Nigerian youths to commemorate and celebrate their achievements and contributions to the nation’s development.

“During the 2019 International Youth Day celebration, I made a commitment to get the necessary Federal Executive Council approvals as well as the legislation to actualise this.

“Further to this, we will push for the establishment and institutionalisation of the Nigerian national youth and sports award, which we hope will commence in 2020.

“The award seeks to recognise and honour youths who have made astounding contributions in the areas of youths and sports development,” Dare said.

He said the idea was to help project national icons that would inspire their peers and also motivate and breed patriotism among them.

He noted that awards, like recognition, had the potential to motivate people to excel in what they do.

“Reward and recognition are some of the primary needs of man and it is the key to human or personal fulfilment.

“When persons are recognised and rewarded for their accomplishments, they feel a sense of fulfilment, which remains with them and continues to inspire them to achieve more.

“It also impacts on those around them, who are inspired to strive towards success and excellence.

“This is hugely important because today, Nigeria, like many nations, is grappling with issues such as insecurity, corruption, disorientation

“These are traceable to breakdown or total loss of societal values as well as a lack of a coordinated and structured reward system,” Dare said.

Source: NAN