The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved approximately ₦631.3 billion for nine road infrastructure projects across Nigeria. This decision was made during Wednesday's FEC meeting, presided over by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the State House in Abuja. The Minister of Works, David Umahi, disclosed this information after the meeting. The approved projects aim to strengthen transportation networks, improve connectivity, and facilitate economic activities by constructing, reconstructing, and rehabilitating critical road corridors.
One of the approved projects involves reconstructing the 95-kilometre Etuke–Okeni–Ankpa–Otopa Road in Kogi, with a contract sum of ₦167 billion. Another project approved by the council is the reconstruction of the 81.1-kilometre Ado–Ilawe–Ilumaba–Ikole Road in Ekiti, including a bridge, for ₦209 billion. Additionally, ₦62 billion was approved for the Tungo–Karamti Road, which links Adamawa and Taraba, and includes five bridges incorporated into the project.
The FEC also approved ₦20.257 billion for an 18-kilometre road connecting Asiago to the Port Harcourt–Enugu Expressway. Furthermore, an additional ₦30 billion was earmarked for remedial works on deteriorated sections of the East–West Road. These projects are expected to improve road infrastructure and enhance economic activities in the affected regions.
The council approved ₦11.33 billion for a road project that the Abia Government previously undertook. This approval was made following the discontinuation of its funding arrangement under the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Ltd. tax-credit scheme. Moreover, ₦28.218 billion was approved to rehabilitate a 17-kilometre section of the Sokoto–Illela Road, Route A1.
Minister Umahi commended the contractor for completing the first 118-kilometre section of the Abuja–Kaduna–Zaria Road. This section was completed in 30 months, with 81 kilometres constructed using reinforced concrete pavement. He also mentioned that work on the second section, covering 164 kilometres, was nearing completion, with only 16 kilometres remaining.
The minister further disclosed that the entire 375-kilometre Abuja–Kaduna–Zaria–Kano corridor would be equipped with solar-powered streetlights. This initiative aims to enhance safety and visibility along the corridor. The installation of streetlights is expected to be completed soon.
On the Lagos–Abidjan coastal highway, Minister Umahi stated that ministers from countries along the corridor would meet on Friday to discuss funding arrangements. The proposed arrangement involves the African Development Bank providing loans to participating countries to finance their respective sections. The regional highway is intended to strengthen connectivity and facilitate trade among participating West African countries.
Key points
- The FEC approved ₦631.3 billion for nine road projects across Nigeria to improve transportation networks and facilitate economic activities.
- The projects include reconstructing and rehabilitating critical road corridors, such as the Etuke–Okeni–Ankpa–Otopa Road in Kogi and the Ado–Ilawe–Ilumaba–Ikole Road in Ekiti.
- The Lagos–Abidjan coastal highway project aims to strengthen connectivity and facilitate trade among participating West African countries.
