In a significant address on Thursday, President Bola Tinubu announced plans to increase federal spending on infrastructure and urged state governors to synchronize their building approvals with the Federal Government to expedite construction projects.
At the commissioning of the Lekki Deep Sea Port Access Road near the Dangote Refinery in Lagos, Tinubu emphasized that “proper approval alignment between the subnational and Federal Governments will facilitate the construction of major roads and bridges across the country.”
He revealed that he has instructed the Minister of Works, David Umahi, and the Surveyor General of the Federation to collaborate closely with governors to ensure cohesive planning and reduce bureaucratic delays.
“Please, my dear governors, let’s work together. Don’t give planning approvals without collaboration with the Surveyor General and the Ministry of Works. I am appealing to you to realise the same development goal,” Tinubu appealed.
The President also reminded all stakeholders of the Federal Government’s ban on dredging within a 10km radius of all bridges nationwide, calling for immediate enforcement by governors and security agencies.
This event came just days after Tinubu inaugurated Phase 1 of Section One of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, marking steady advancement of key transport infrastructure.
Tinubu commended the Federal Ministry of Works and contractors such as Hitech Construction Company, Dangote Industries, and BUA for their roles in the country’s road development efforts.
Addressing misconceptions about the government’s legacy road projects, Tinubu clarified that the Federal Executive Council approved segmented contracts rather than a single massive contract.
“It is necessary to note that the Federal Executive Council approved our Legacy Projects to be procured, awarded and constructed in sections,” he said.
He detailed the Sokoto-Badagry Superhighway, a visionary corridor spanning seven states, which connects agricultural lands, trade routes, and renewable energy resources, with construction well underway.
Updates were provided on progress in Kebbi and Sokoto states, where significant carriageway sections have been completed and new phases flagged off.
Tinubu also highlighted ongoing work on the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway’s second section and the Trans-Sahara Trade Route, which will connect Calabar to Abuja through multiple states.
He assured Nigerians that the Akwanga-Jos-Bauchi-Gombe corridor project is advancing quickly with accelerated design work.
Other projects commissioned include roads and bridges across Kano, Plateau, Adamawa, Kwara, Osun, and Adamawa states, with several major road constructions flagged off for commencement.
The President expressed appreciation for private sector leaders Jim Ovia, Femi Otedola, Abdulsamad Rabiu, and Aliko Dangote for their economic contributions.
Governors from six states attended, with Kaduna Governor Sen. Uba Sani thanking the President for subsidy removal, which has increased state funding for essential services, and pledging cooperation.
Tinubu praised Dangote’s investments, noting the Lekki Deep Sea Port’s success in saving costs for users, and Dangote reciprocated by pledging private sector support for infrastructure expansion.