The recent approval by the Federal Executive Council has allocated significant funding of at least N3.09tn for various road projects across the country. These projects include sections of the Lagos-Calabar coastal highway and developments in the Federal Capital Territory.
During a briefing with State House Correspondents after the first council meeting of the year in Abuja, Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, shared details about the approved projects. The approvals encompassed initiatives like the Ado-Ekiti and Igede projects, amounting to approximately N5.4bn, as well as six other projects valued at around N102bn.
Umahi highlighted the need for reconstruction on parts of the Abuja–Lokoja road due to reported issues with sections constructed by RCC and Dantata & Sawoe. He also mentioned plans to evaluate the pile foundations of the Third Mainland Bridge and Carter Bridge to address deterioration concerns.
Additionally, Umahi mentioned the progress on the Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway and the construction of access roads for the Second Niger Bridge. Several other road projects received approval, including the Lagos–Ibadan Phase Two and the Lokoja–Benin road sections.
The Minister also addressed the Abuja–Kano road project, which saw a split in the work between contractors and a shift towards using concrete for most of the construction. The use of concrete was deemed more cost-effective compared to previous proposals.
Minister of State for Federal Capital Territory, Mariya Mahmoud, shared updates on infrastructure development projects in Abuja and its satellite towns, including contracts awarded for road developments in various districts.
Furthermore, Minister of Transportation, Said Alkali, discussed the approval of a detailed feasibility study and engineering design for a road alignment project connecting Western ports to the hinterland. This alignment aims to boost economic activity and enhance GDP growth by linking major ports to key areas.