The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved several infrastructure and ecological projects to enhance the nation’s road network, improve food security, and support sustainable development. The approval, which includes the rescoping of key federal roads and new construction projects, was announced following an Executive Council meeting chaired by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, briefed State House correspondents about the Council’s decisions, highlighting the approval of revised road contracts across 13 states. Key projects include the dualisation of the Akure-Eta-Ogbese-Iju-Ekiti border to the Ikere-Ado-Ekiti road, which covers areas of Ondo and Ekiti states. Umahi revealed that 15 kilometres of the 18.438km stretch would be constructed within the available funds, at a revised cost of ₦19.407 billion.
Another significant project is the rescoping of the Sokoto-Zamfara-Katsina-Kaduna dual carriageway. Originally awarded for ₦105 billion, the project has now been revised to cover 82.4km and six bridges, while staying within the initial budget.
The Council also approved the segmentation of the long-pending 105km Maiduguri-Monguno road in Borno State into phases. The first 30km has been awarded at a cost of ₦21 billion, with the remaining phases to be presented once the initial section is completed.
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In addition to the revised contracts, new projects have also been greenlit, including the construction of the Abakaliki-Afikpo Flyover in Ebonyi State at a cost of ₦25 billion and the construction of Ikoga Road and Atan-Alapoti-Ado-Odo Road in Ogun State at ₦37.045 billion.
Umahi further mentioned the involvement of the private sector in funding some of these projects. The Enugu-Onitsha road project, partially funded by MTN, is being revised to cover 77 kilometres and has been awarded at ₦150 billion. Meanwhile, in the South-West, the remaining 96km stretch of the Benin-Shagamu-Ore road was approved for construction at a cost of ₦187 billion.
On the international front, the 50km 7th Axial Road project, which includes five kilometres of bridges, has secured $651.7 million in funding from China Exim Bank. This road is crucial for the evacuation of goods from the Lekki Deep Seaport, including those from the Dangote Refinery and Fertiliser Plant.
Previously announced projects also received FEC approval, including the Aba-Ikot-Ekpene road, the expanded shoreline protection at Ebute-Ero and Outer Marina, and the rehabilitation of the Cham-Numan section of the Gombe-Yola road. The first phase of the Gombe-Yola road rehabilitation has been awarded at ₦9.253 billion.
Umahi provided updates on ongoing projects, including the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, with over 70% of Section One completed. Thirty kilometres will be ready for commissioning by President Tinubu, while 10 kilometres of Section Two are nearing completion. Additionally, the Sokoto-Badagry corridor is on track, with 10 kilometres of concrete pavement expected to be completed by May 25.
International financiers, including the Dutch Bank and the Development Bank of Southern Africa, have reviewed the procurement process and project designs. Umahi shared that both institutions endorsed the process, adding that it had been undervalued.
This series of infrastructure projects is expected to not only boost Nigeria’s transportation network but also improve the nation’s food security and economic development.
