Mombasa—Lagos Motor Road (Hansard, 6 December 1971)

§ Mr. Wood

At a Conference of Ministers of Member States of the Economic Commission for Africa in February, 1971, the Commission was charged with the task of promoting and co-odinating plans for the construction of a Trans-Africa Highway in order to link the main roads between Mombasa 227W and Lagos, passing through Uganda, Zaire, the Central African Republic and Cameroon. This project is expected to bring together some of the largest potential markets in Africa; open up areas of agricultural and mineral potential; generate employment and income; promote tourism and develop economic co-operation among the countries concerned.

The British Government replied to a request made to it and to other industrialised countries by the Commission for advice and assistance in this task, by offering to undertake and finance a pre-feasibility study of the proposed route. When this offer was accepted, a London firm of consultant engineers was engaged to undertake the work. The study involves an assessment of the economic significance of the whole road, ranking alternative routes in order of economic preference, carrying out cost benefit surveys and overall cost analysis. The development plans and trade patterns of the countries affected are being studied to establish estimates of transport demands and of the construction and maintenance standards required. The projected route would be about 4,000 miles long with three-quarters of its length already classified as a roadway, but substantial improvements and some new construction, would be needed.

I hope that the consultants' report will be presented to the Commission in time for it to put definite proposals and recommendations to the next meeting of its Highway Co-ordinating Committee. This is due to be held in Bangui, Central African Republic, next March when the next stages of the project will be discussed.