‘Infrastructure transformation crucial to Nigeria’s economic development’

The Country’s Chief Executive Officer, Lafarge Africa Plc, Mr. Khaled El Dokani has said infrastructure transformation would foster Nigeria’s economic development and prosperity.

Dokani said this in Lagos at the launch of Concrete Ideas Policy Blueprint, an analysis of insights and ideas discussed by stakeholders in the construction, infrastructure and housing industries during the first five editions.

He noted that investments in infrastructure would contribute to higher productivity, growth and promote economic inclusion.

Speaking on the policy blueprint written by an economist and Chief Executive Officer, Economic Associates, Dr. Ayo Teriba, Dokani said the concrete ideas leadership series was created to serve as a veritable platform for deliberation on issues, policies, developments shaping Nigeria’s construction, infrastructure and housing sectors.

Dokani said: “We are taking a more direct approach to increasing investment in infrastructure and housing by working with government, professional associations, public policy experts and the broader private sector to find enabling policy solutions.

“We are grateful to all the experts and industry leaders, who participated and led critical policy deliberations during the last five editions of concrete ideas. With their inputs, we have been able to create this succinct and coherent policy blueprint. I hope that governments at all levels and the industry find this very useful.”

Speaking further, Dokani said: “We owe a great deal to the people, who have been part of these events since the beginning – the experts, public officials, professional associations and broader private sector. In line with our purpose of building progress for people and the planet, we are putting sustainability at the forefront of housing and infrastructure development, because we want to ensure that all Nigerians have access to information that will shape, set standards and accelerate positive change toward sustainable construction practices in the country.”

He said the company will continue to raise the bar of professional excellence in the built environment and construction industry. “Not only are we casting a vision for promoting sustainable construction practices within the built environment and construction industry,but we are outlining the action steps to revitalise and grow the industry in an ethical, strategic and future-focused way.

“By rolling up our sleeves and working together, we will continue to unlock new and innovative ways to generate best policy ideas and innovations that will foster the delivery of Nigeria’s ambitious infrastructure plans and the growth of the industry,” he said.

The Head of Corporate Communications, Lafarge Africa Plc, Ginikanwa Frank-Durugbor, said: “With each edition of concrete ideas, it is evident that conversation on critical and topical issues across the construction value chain require public-private partnerships, the voice and contributions of the people to solve them.

“Lafarge Africa needs to continue bringing these conversations to the fore, highlighting the issues, challenges and solutions that can help shape the built sector in Nigeria.”