The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, covering 130 kilometres of dual carriageway from Calabar through Akwa Ibom, estimated at N1.334 trillion.
The project is segmented into multiple sections to speed up its completion with ongoing construction in Lagos and Ogun states.
It also okayed N885 billion for the implementation of 10 vital infrastructure projects geared at improving Nigeria’s road networks and bridges across various states.
Minister of Works, David Umahi, who made this known at the end of the meeting at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, also mentioned other the critical projects given approval to include the reconstruction of three sections of the Lokoja-Benin Road, a crucial corridor for trade and transportation.
The project involve concrete and include: Obajana to Benin (Section I): N64 billion; Auchi to Edo (Section II): N110 billion; Benin Airport to Edo (Section III): N131 billion. The total cost of this project alone is over N305 billion.
Also, the minister stated that FEC okayed al N252 billion for the Abuja-Kano Highway, which has been restructured and divided into two key sections. Section 1 extends from the FCT boundary to Niger State, with scope increased by 5.71 kilometers, while Section 3 covers areas in Kano State with an extended scope of 17 kilometers.
The minister noted that the majority of the project will be built using concrete, with solar lighting installations along its 118-kilometer stretch.
The council also gave the green light for the reconstruction of the Second Niger Bridge access roads in Delta and Anambra states.
The Delta State section is set to be constructed using concrete for a contract sum of N470.9 billion, while the Anambra section will cost N148 billion.
Further approvals included Onitsha-Owerri Expressway: N22 billion, Musasa-Jos-Kaduna Road: N18 billion and Abia and Enugu State Road Rehabilitation: N12.75 billion
In Lagos, he said FEC approved N3.571 billion for a comprehensive evaluation of the Third Mainland Bridge and Carter Bridge. The assessment will involve investigating the structural integrity of underwater piles and providing solutions to prevent further deterioration.
Another crucial project is the continuation of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway (Phase II, Section I), approved at N195 billion.
Umahi noted that the federal government is committed to ensuring cost-effective solutions, especially by transitioning several major road projects to concrete construction, which is expected to be more durable and cost-efficient in the long term.
He highlighted the ministry’s success in renegotiating project costs, saying, “By adopting concrete for key sections, we have saved significant costs compared to previous projections.”
Umahi also addressed concerns about delays and structural issues on some roads, including sections of the Abuja-Lokoja Road, assuring that contractors have been tasked with rectifying the problems.
“We are not accepting excuses such as high temperatures for road failures. The affected sections are being redone with proper oversight,” he said.
Council also approved a substantial investment of N159.5 billion for five major infrastructure projects aimed at enhancing the road networks and transportation systems within the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.
Minister of State for the FCT, Mariya Mahmoud Bunkure, made this disclosure while briefing newsmen.
Among the significant projects included in this approval is the construction of a bus terminal at Mabushi, which has been awarded to Setraco Nigeria Limited for N30.97 billion. This project is expected to be completed within 18 months and is part of a broader strategy to improve urban mobility in Abuja.
Another critical project is the Arterial Road N1, which will connect Wuye District to Ring Road II. Valued at N62.5 billion, this contract has been awarded to Arab Contractors Nigeria Limited and is projected to
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