The Federal Executive Council (FEC), under the leadership of President Bola Tinubu, has approved road projects worth approximately N1.24 trillion.
Engr. Dave Umahi, Minister of Works, disclosed this after Monday’s FEC meeting at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. The projects aim to improve connectivity, repair flood-damaged roads, and enhance infrastructure in various states.
Among the key approvals is an additional N80 billion for the Bodo-Bonny Road in Rivers State, bringing the total project cost to N280 billion.
The minister also confirmed a N740 billion allocation for the rehabilitation of the 82-kilometer Abuja-Kano Road, to be executed by Julius Berger. This project was inherited from the previous administration, which had completed 62 kilometers at a cost of N393 billion.
The council also approved the construction of a 258-kilometer three-lane carriageway, part of the 1,000-kilometer Sokoto-Badagry Super-highway in Kebbi State. Other projects include the rehabilitation of the Maraban-Kankara/Funtua Road in Katsina State and the dualisation of the Afikpo-Uturu-Okigwe Road spanning Ebonyi, Abia, and Imo states.
Highlighting the completion of emergency works on the Third Mainland Bridge in Lagos, Umahi mentioned the installation of CCTV cameras and an observation room for enhanced safety.
Additionally, 14 road and bridge projects affected by floods across Ekiti, Adamawa, Kebbi, Cross River, Ondo, Osun, Plateau, and Rivers states were approved for construction or rehabilitation.
“These 14 roads were awarded,” Umahi said, listing specific projects such as the Ado-Ekiti/Afe Babalola Road in Ekiti State and the JB Lamba Road in Adamawa State, as well as the Kuku-Besse-Zaria-Kata Road in Kebbi State. The Gamboru Bridge along Gamboru-Ngala/Kala-Balge Road in Borno State is also set for repair and rehabilitation.
In Cross River State, the construction of the 20.3-kilometer Phase 1 Awo-Iwe-Ata Road and Ebom Road was approved. Ondo State will see the construction of the Ilesha-Oke-Igbo Road, while additional projects in Atakumosa East, Osun State, were greenlit.
The government is also addressing the issue of heavy fuel trucks damaging newly constructed roads. During an inspection, Umahi observed over 3,000 trucks parked on a newly built road near the Dangote fuel lifting facility.
He noted, “Technically and by design, the roads were never built for static loads,” explaining the damage caused by such trucks.
To alleviate this problem, the FEC approved the concession of federal land for a tolled truck park, similar to the Apapa solution, ensuring safer parking for trucks.
