The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved approximately N631.3 billion for nine road infrastructure projects across Nigeria, as part of efforts to strengthen transportation networks, enhance connectivity and facilitate economic activities nationwide.
Minister of Works, David Umahi, made the approvals known on Wednesday while briefing State House correspondents following the Council meeting presided over by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Umahi explained that the projects, which involve the construction, reconstruction and rehabilitation of critical road corridors, are designed to improve accessibility, ease the movement of people and goods, and address infrastructure deficiencies in different parts of the country.
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Among the major approvals is the reconstruction of the 95-kilometre Etuke–Okeni–Ankpa–Otopa Road in Kogi State, at a contract sum of N167 billion.
The Council also authorised the reconstruction of the 81.1-kilometre Ado–Ilawe–Ilumaba–Ikole Road in Ekiti State, including a bridge, at an estimated cost of N209 billion.
In another significant approval, FEC sanctioned the construction of the 47-kilometre Bichi Ring Road, incorporating a flyover, at a contract sum of N89.2 billion.
The Minister further disclosed that the Council approved approximately N62 billion for the construction of the Tungo–Karamti Road, linking Adamawa and Taraba states, with five bridges incorporated into the project.
Other approvals include the construction of an 18-kilometre road connecting Asiago to the Port Harcourt–Enugu Expressway at N20.257 billion, alongside N30 billion earmarked for remedial works on deteriorated sections of the East–West Road.
Umahi also announced the approval of N11.33 billion for a road project previously undertaken by the Abia State Government, following the discontinuation of its funding arrangement under the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited’s tax-credit scheme.
Similarly, the Council approved N28.218 billion for the rehabilitation of a 17-kilometre section of the Sokoto–Illela Road, Route A1, as part of interventions to improve road conditions along the corridor.
Umahi said the council commended President Tinubu over the completion of the first 118-kilometre section of the Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria Road.
The Minister noted that the project was completed in 30 months, with 81 kilometres constructed using reinforced concrete pavement.
He emphasised that work on the second section, covering 164 kilometres, was nearing completion, with only 16 kilometres remaining.
Umahi also disclosed that the entire 375-kilometre Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano corridor would be equipped with solar-powered streetlights.
On the Lagos-Abidjan coastal highway, the Minister of Works revealed that ministers from the countries along the corridor would meet on Friday to discuss funding arrangements.
Umahi stated that the Nigerian section covers 79 kilometres, while Togo accounts for 89 kilometres, Ghana 576 kilometres, Côte d’Ivoire 155 kilometres and Benin Republic 128 kilometres.
According to him, the proposed arrangement is for the African Development Bank to provide loans to participating countries to finance their respective sections of the regional highway.
The Lagos-Abidjan coastal highway project is to strengthen regional connectivity and facilitate trade among participating West African countries.
