The Federal Executive Council (FEC), presided over by President Bola Tinubu, has approved a series of major road contracts and project reviews totaling over N400 billion, aimed at revitalizing Nigeria’s critical road infrastructure and easing transportation bottlenecks.
Minister of Works, David Umahi, announced the approvals while briefing State House correspondents after Thursday’s council meeting at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. He said he presented 11 memos nine for the review and adjustment of inherited projects from previous administrations and two for fresh contract awards.
Among the highlights were approvals for strategic expressway expansions:
Lagos–Ibadan Expressway (Phase II, Section II): Awarded at N43 billion to rectify failed sections, construct underpasses, ramps, and adjoining roads using concrete pavement. Umahi explained that the original contract, awarded five years ago, had stalled and was terminated when the Tinubu administration took office. The re-award includes additional features not captured in earlier phases.
Mushin–NNPC Junction–Apapa–Oshodi Expressway Dualisation: Revised upward from N11 billion (awarded in 2022) to N19.09 billion due to inflation and increased construction costs. The 14.4-kilometer project is expected to improve access to Lagos ports and industrial corridors.
Sokoto–Badagry Superhighway (Section III): A 162.97-kilometer stretch from Badagry through Ogun State to the Oyo border, constructed with reinforced concrete pavement at N3.39 billion per kilometer.
Several ongoing federal road projects also received funding adjustments, design upgrades, and phasing to address delays, terrain difficulties, and inflationary pressures:
Ilorin–Omu Aran–Egba Road (216 km): To be executed in phases, with Phase I covering 31 kilometers at N43 billion. The remaining 184 kilometers will proceed as funds become available.
East–West Road: Redesigned for enhanced traffic flow and pavement strength, maintaining Phase I at N156 billion for dual carriageways and bridges. Owing to traffic volume and redesign complexities, the ministry will first complete one full carriageway and 30% of the second. Pending flyovers at Abuloma and Refinery Junctions in Rivers State are expected to be awarded by month’s end.
Enugu–Onitsha Road (OP Junction–Ukehe–Okatu–Abu Udi–Oji–Anambra Border): Divided into phases, with Phase I (35.1 km) approved at N28.47 billion. Of this, N21 billion has been released, leaving a balance of N7 billion.
Ota–Idiroko Road (Section I, Ogun State, 14 km): Revised from N43 billion to N98 billion due to the switch from flexible to rigid concrete pavement, high underground water levels, and additional structures. The accompanying 509-meter flyover with dual ramps rose from N17 billion to N23 billion.
Wasasa–Turunku–Mararaba–Jos Road (Kaduna State): Phase II (42 km) approved at N30.23 billion, following Phase I (7.8 km) earlier awarded at N18 billion.
Ijebu Igbo–Etapa–Owoyen Road (linking Ogun and Oyo States): Extended from 30 km to 37 km, with costs rising from N13 billion to N53 billion for reinforced concrete work, improved subgrade, and design upgrades.
Ijebu–Ibu Ete–Egba–Owena Road (Ogun and Ondo States): Reconstruction approved at N53 billion.
Umahi attributed the cost escalations to inflationary pressures particularly the spike in the price of reinforcement steel now exceeding N1.1 million per ton as well as difficult terrain and necessary design modifications for durability.
To ease federal financial pressure and speed up project delivery, the minister said the governors of Edo, Delta, and Abia States have agreed to take responsibility for select federal roads within their states. Additional approvals include the Jos–Turunku–Maraban–Jama’a Road rehabilitation in Kaduna State, valued at N30 billion.
Reaffirming the administration’s commitment to adopting concrete-based construction for durability and long-term savings, Umahi stated:
“Our focus remains on delivering durable road infrastructure to support economic growth and ease movement across the federation. These approvals reflect our resolve to complete inherited projects efficiently while advancing new ones that connect our people and economy.”
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