The Adamawa State Government has opened bids for the concession of the Ngurore Vehicle Transit Area (VTA), a project aimed at improving road safety, easing the movement of goods and attracting private investment in transport infrastructure.
Speaking at the event, Dr. Halilu Malabu, Executive Secretary of the Adamawa Investment Promotion Agency, said the project would provide a secure and well-equipped facility for truck drivers while strengthening freight transportation and promoting economic activities across the state.
He explained that the proposed facility would offer drivers, particularly operators of heavy-duty and articulated vehicles, a safe place to rest, maintain their vehicles and access essential services during long-distance journeys.
Malabu noted that the project was expected to help reduce driver fatigue and road traffic accidents while improving the security of haulage vehicles and cargo in transit.
The planned infrastructure includes truck parking spaces, vehicle maintenance workshops, tyre service centres, medical facilities, security lighting, CCTV surveillance, weighbridges and fire prevention systems. Restaurants, public conveniences, police and Federal Road Safety Corps posts, towing services and truck wash facilities are also envisaged.
For drivers who spend long hours transporting goods across states and borders, the facility is expected to provide a more comfortable and secure environment to rest and attend to vehicle-related needs before continuing their journeys. It could also reduce the difficulties associated with finding safe parking areas overnight.
The bid opening and evaluation process is being conducted in collaboration with the Nigerian Ports Economic Regulatory Agency (NPERA), formerly known as the Nigerian Shippers’ Council, to select a private investor to develop and manage the facility.
Under the proposed Design, Finance, Build, Operate and Transfer (DFBOT) arrangement, the successful bidder will be responsible for financing, constructing and operating the facility before transferring it to the government in line with the concession agreement.
Also speaking, Uduak Irimagha, representing the Nigerian Ports Authority, commended the Adamawa State Governor for prioritising infrastructure development, describing the transit area as a strategic investment with the potential to strengthen regional trade and economic activities.
Irimagha said vehicle transit areas serve important logistics functions beyond providing parking spaces for heavy-duty vehicles. He noted that Adamawa’s strategic location as a gateway to neighbouring countries could position the facility to support cross-border trade, create jobs and increase government revenue.
He urged members of the evaluation committee to uphold transparency and established procurement principles, while encouraging prospective investors to bring the necessary expertise to the project.
Under the public-private partnership arrangement, the Adamawa State Government is expected to provide suitable land, free from encumbrances, alongside relevant design and title documents to facilitate development. The government may also participate through equity investment, while NPERA is expected to provide technical support and regulatory guidance.
Beyond road safety, the Ngurore Vehicle Transit Area is expected to stimulate commercial activities around the facility, generate employment and strengthen Adamawa’s links with regional markets.
Details of the successful bidder, concession period and project implementation timeline were not disclosed at the bid opening and evaluation event.