Mr. Nigel Jones
Chairman of Nelostie

(Speech At The Opening Ceremony Of The Helsinki Lahti Motorway)

I am pleased to have the opportunity to say a few words on behalf of the Board of Directors and Shareholders of Nelostie.

Congratulations to all who have made this project the success, which is evident here this morning. It is much appreciated that the Honourable Minister for Transport and Communications has chosen to be with us. I do apologise for any inconvenience we may have caused in his diary arrangements as a result of us completing nine months early. I would also like to express thanks to my predecessor Lars Wiklander of Skanska whom as the first Chairman of Nelostie guided the project through the financing and early works. I am much relieved to complete the task today. That said, it is really only the beginning because Nelostie has every intention of providing service to the communities who will rely on us for each of the next 15 years. We share this aim with Finnra, not least because they are our partner as operator of the motorway.

This is a memorable project and one, which compares very favourably with the best that, can be achieved where public officials and private companies work together. I make this remark in all seriousness.

In the next month I will be attending similar commemorative celebrations in Melbourne and London.

In Melbourne the same spirit of co-operation and enterprise between public and private servants of the Public has linked the North and West of that great City with many hundreds of thousands of Australians living along the shores of Port Phillip Bay providing them with a spectacular new motorway.

In London, the Docklands light Railway now will reach down the South of the Thames thanks to the imagination of public planners, private capital and construction expertise.

The benefit of this New Motorway is no less significant. We have bridged � yes there are 81 bridges in all - Lahti and Helsinki for people to move freely between the two places in under an hour. We have made this possible at a lower cost than could be hoped when the road was planned. To have done so much in less time than was expected is a fantastic achievement. I thank every one who�s labour and careful planning have made this possible. Many of those to whom we owe the greatest thanks have left the site because their work has been done. Their contribution is acknowledged nonetheless.

I would like to believe that there will be lasting benefits from this new community facility. Better infrastructure means improved prospects for economic growth as well as greater personal freedom to move about in safety and with ease. I assure you that Nelostie will focus on the part it must play as a vital link in the region�s economic infrastructure. We prosper as this region prospers. And we too shall feel the pain of harsh times if they face this again. For today let us be thankful for the chance this project has given for future prosperity in the region.