BAECC NAMES ONWODI AS COO FOR BENIN-ASABA EXPRESSWAY

The Benin-Asaba Expressway Concession Company Limited has appointed infrastructure and public-private partnership specialist, Dr Emmanuel Onwodi, as its Chief Operating Officer.

The company said the appointment was aimed at strengthening its executive leadership as it advances the development and management of the Benin-Asaba highway corridor.

Onwodi, a chartered accountant and infrastructure finance specialist, has more than 25 years of experience in infrastructure development, concession management, project finance, risk management, transport and logistics.

In his new role, he will oversee the operational execution of the Benin-Asaba Expressway concession, coordinate key stakeholders and support the implementation of BAECC’s long-term objectives.

He previously spent about 14 years in senior positions at the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission, where he held director-level responsibilities covering transport infrastructure, planning, research and statistics, and special projects.

During his time at the ICRC, Onwodi participated in the development and implementation of several public-private partnership projects involving roads, railways, ports, aviation, energy, real estate and social infrastructure.

His experience also includes concession structuring, project finance, financial modelling, risk allocation and infrastructure financing. He participated in the negotiation and structuring of the Eastern and Western Railway concessions, valued at more than $2.2bn.

Onwodi holds a PhD in Risk Management in Public-Private Partnerships, an MSc in Risk Management from Birmingham City University and a BA in International Accounting from the University of Northampton.

BAECC said his experience would support stronger coordination among government institutions, investors, contractors, lenders, communities and other stakeholders involved in the expressway project.