The Ministry of Works under the Federal Government is planning an extensive road rehabilitation and construction project in the 2025 budget. A total of 468 roads and highways are set to be worked on, with a budget proposal of N1.013tn allocated for these projects. The highest allocation of N166.004bn is designated for the construction of Lafia road and the dualisation of the 9th mile (Enugu) Otukpo-Makurdi (Keffi phase two).
Compared to the 2024 budget, there has been a decrease in the number of planned road construction projects by 1,457, but an increase of N547.55bn in allocated funds. The 2025 Appropriation Bill presented to the National Assembly detailed allocations such as N15.02bn for contingency funds and N2bn for Senior Special Assistants’ vehicles.
Some of the major road projects include the dualisation of Kano-Maiduguri road, reconstruction of Abuja-Lokoja road, construction of various road sections, and bridge constructions across different states. Additionally, allocations were made for projects like the Lagos-Abeokuta road, Trans Sahara Super highway, and Lekki Axial road counterpart funding.
Various provisions were made in the budget for projects like the construction of the presidential Helipad and jetty, payment of legal fees, purchase of solar lights, maintenance of generators, renovation of office buildings, and funding for Public Private Partnership due diligence and negotiation activities.
Upon assuming office, the Minister of Works highlighted the significant number of inherited road projects and the increased funding required to complete them. The total cost of inherited projects rose from N13tn to N19tn due to factors like fuel subsidy removal and currency exchange rate fluctuations against the dollar.