On Thursday, the Federal Executive Council (FEC) authorized key road contracts and project reviews worth more than N400 billion to improve the country's road infrastructure. Dave Umahi, Minister of Works, briefed State House media following President Bola Tinubu's FEC meeting at the Presidential Villa in Abuja. Umahi presented 11 memos, nine for reviewing inherited projects and two for awarding new contracts.
The council authorized the award of Lagos-Ibadan Expressway Phase Two, Section Two, for N43 billion to rectify failing areas and complete underpasses and ramps.
The minister further stated that the council approved the construction of Section Three of the Sokoto-Badagry Superhighway, which will stretch 162.97 kilometers from Badagry through Ogun to the Oyo State border for N3.39 billion per kilometre.
Several current projects, including the Ilorin-Omu Aran-Egba road and the old Enugu-Onitsha road, have been examined for finance and design revisions.
According to him, the 216-kilometer Ilorin-Omu Aran-Egba road has been phased, with 31 kilometers completed in Phase One at a cost of N43 billion. The remaining 184 kilometers would follow as financing improves.
The East-West Road project has been revised to increase traffic flow and pavement strength. Phase One, which includes dual carriageways and bridges, remains at N156 billion.
According to Umahi, numerous state governments have taken over federal road projects within their territories to relieve funding pressures and accelerate delivery.
He announced the revision of the Ota-Idi-Iroko road project in Ogun State, which now includes reinforced concrete pavement and an additional bridge, increasing the cost from N38 billion to N52 billion.
The FEC has approved the restoration of the Jos-Turunkun-Maraban-Jama'a road in Kaduna State for N30 billion and the reconstruction of the Ijebu-Ibu Ete-Egba-Owena route in Ogun and Ondo States for N53 billion, according to the Minister.
He emphasized the Tinubu administration's commitment to concrete-based road construction for durability and cost efficiency.
