The World Council of Civil Engineers (WCCE) has said that not less than $39bn would be needed annually to tackle infrastructure deficit in Africa.
The Continental Representative of WCCE for Africa, Engr. Aishatu Aliyu Umar, stated this in Abuja on Wednesday in Abuja ahead of the first Regional Summit of the WCCE Afrisummit 2023 with the theme: ‘Infrastructure Deficit and The Challenge of Development in Sub Saharan Africa’.
She said that the two-day summit billed to hold on Thursday and Friday at the International Conference Centre (ICC), Abuja would focus on issues surrounding infrastructural development in Africa.
According to her, speakers from Ethiopia, Ghana, Liberia and the United States are expected to address participants that will have in attendance among others the governor of Nasarawa State, Engr. Abdullahi Sule who will be the special guest of honour and the President of the WCCE, Jorge Emilio Abramian as chairman of the event.
“Despite the huge economic and political potentials of Africa, infrastructure deficit is a wedge on the path of growth and development. Currently, there is limited access to power, telecommunications, efficient transportation systems, security of lives and properties, road networks, and portable water supply among others.
“The physical structures that support the smooth running of the African Society are in short supply compared with demand. Investments in Infrastructure have consistently lagged behind the huge demand. Electricity is only accessible to about 40% of the population, a third of the rural population has access to roads while only 5% of agriculture is under irrigation,” Dr Umar said.
She said looking at Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) number 9 which demands the development of quality, reliable, sustainable and resilient infrastructure, a whole lot is required for infrastructure in Africa to fill the available gaps.
