By Temitope Ajayi
The African Union and ECOWAS both have continental and sub-regional highways that connect the continent by network of roads.
Each member states will construct the roads within their countries under the continental and sub-regional plan, which started more than four decades ago. Most African countries have finished the roads that fall within their countries except Nigeria and few others.
The roads within Nigeria that are part of the continental network are Lagos-Ibadan, Oyo-Ogbomosho-Ilorin, Jeba-Mokwa-Kaduna up to Sokoto.
Nigeria is not constructing any road outside Nigeria. Each country works its part.
The West Africa highway that starts from Uyo through Port Harcourt include Yenegoa, Warri, Benin, Ore, Ijebu-Ode, Lagos- Badagry-Seme Border roads.
Two days ago, the continental committee on the project met in Nigeria with representatives of AU member states. Mr. Babatunde Fashola as Nigeria’s Minister of Works, at the meeting, said Nigeria, in three years, will finish her portion of the continental highway. The headline next day says Nigeria will finish continental roads from Chad, Niger, Tunisia up to Algeria as if Nigeria will go to construct roads in these countries.
The Abuja to Algiers road is a trans-atlantic super highway that started under the Organisation of African Unity now African Union. The objective is to link every AU member states by road for ease of movement and trade.
