The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved eight road projects valued at ₦594.49 billion across Nigeria, alongside remedial works on deteriorated sections of the East-West Road, as the Federal Government pursues financing for the proposed 1,028-kilometre Lagos-Abidjan coastal highway.
Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, disclosed the approvals on Wednesday while briefing journalists after the FEC meeting presided over by President Bola Tinubu at the State House, Abuja.
Umahi said the approved projects, with contract sums ranging from ₦11.33 billion to ₦209 billion, would cover major road corridors in several states, including Abia, Kogi, Ekiti, Sokoto, Adamawa and Taraba.
According to the minister, the Council approved ₦20.257 billion for the construction of the 18-kilometre Amaseri Road, stretching from Ishagu to Otakot on the Enugu Expressway.
FEC also approved ₦11.33 billion for the third phase of the Umuahia-Bende-Afikpo Road in Abia State, covering approximately five kilometres remaining under the Federal Government’s responsibility.
Umahi explained that the project had previously been financed through the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited’s tax-credit scheme but stalled following the discontinuation of the funding arrangement.
He said the project was subsequently rescoped, with the Abia State Government undertaking responsibility for constructing another 43 kilometres.
In Kogi State, the Council approved ₦160 billion for the reconstruction of the 95-kilometre E2K-Okey-Ampa-Otopa Road.
The government also approved ₦209 billion for the 81.1-kilometre Ado-Ekiti-Ijan-Ilumoba-Ikole Road in Ekiti State, including the construction of a bridge.
Umahi disclosed that the Ekiti road contract was awarded to CBC.
Other approvals included ₦28.218 billion for the 17-kilometre Sokoto-Illela Road, Route A1, awarded to Kespeko Global Limited.
The Council further approved ₦62 billion for a 30-kilometre road connecting Adamawa and Taraba states, including the construction of five bridges.
According to the minister, the Adamawa-Taraba project was awarded to WeChina Nigeria Limited.
FEC also approved ₦89.2 billion for the 47-kilometre Bichi Ring Road, including a flyover, with the contract awarded to Lara Lake.
Another ₦14.486 billion was approved for the eight-kilometre Dikko-Maje link road connecting to the Suleja-Minna Road, with MW Resources Limited named as the contractor.
Beyond the eight projects, Umahi said the Council considered remedial interventions on deteriorated sections of the East-West Road.
He explained that parts of the road had deteriorated because the original construction was undertaken years earlier, leaving sections below the current flood level.
The minister indicated that the remedial works were intended to address the condition of the affected sections and improve the road’s resilience against flooding.
Meanwhile, Umahi disclosed that Nigeria and four other West African countries were pursuing financing from the African Development Bank (AfDB) for the proposed 1,028-kilometre Lagos-Abidjan highway.
He said ministers responsible for road infrastructure in Nigeria, Benin Republic, Togo, Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire would meet on Friday to discuss financing arrangements for their respective sections of the regional corridor.
Umahi said he would chair the meeting, which is expected to consider how the participating countries could access AfDB support for the project.
Under the proposed arrangement, the bank would provide financing to the participating countries for the development of their respective sections of the transnational highway.
However, the financing arrangements have yet to be finalised and remain subject to further discussions and the bank’s funding processes.
Nigeria’s section of the proposed highway, stretching from Tincan Island in Lagos to the Seme border with Benin Republic, covers 79 kilometres.
The other sections comprise 128 kilometres in Benin Republic, 89 kilometres in Togo, 576 kilometres in Ghana and 155 kilometres in Côte d’Ivoire, according to the figures provided by the minister.
The Lagos-Abidjan highway is intended to improve road connectivity between the five countries, facilitate the movement of people and goods and support trade and economic integration across West Africa.
The government maintained that the newly approved domestic road projects and the proposed regional highway would contribute to improved transport infrastructure and stronger economic connectivity.
Deji Elumoye
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