The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved infrastructure projects worth N2.078 trillion, covering 23 road projects across 10 states, alongside a N1.8325 trillion tax credit-backed highway project in Niger State, the Minister of Works, David Umahi, announced after Monday’s FEC meeting at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Briefing journalists, Umahi said the Council also ratified several presidential approvals relating to ongoing road projects, contract augmentations and public-private partnership (PPP) arrangements aimed at improving the country’s transport infrastructure.
Among the approvals was a N15 billion contract augmentation for the 32.2-kilometre Gashua–Garam Guri Road in Yobe State. The project, originally awarded in 2022 for N40 billion, was reviewed to accommodate rising construction material costs.
FEC also ratified the presidential approval for the Phase II construction of the Yola–Fufore–Gurin Road, awarding the remaining 20-kilometre section to Wiz China Worldwide Engineering Company for N15.246 billion. Umahi noted that the first phase of the project, spanning 17.84 kilometres, has already been completed.
The Council further approved the Full Business Case for the operation and maintenance of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway in favour of Africa Plus Partners Concession Company Limited under the Modified Swiss Challenge procurement model.
Speaking on the Lagos-Ibadan corridor, Umahi expressed concern over the deteriorating condition of the Ibadan-bound carriageway previously constructed by Julius Berger.
“The section is failing badly. It is folding and has become very dangerous for motorists,” he said.
According to the minister, President Bola Tinubu has directed the Ministry of Works to commence due process for reconstructing the affected section using reinforced concrete pavement technology to ensure greater durability.
Umahi also announced what he described as “good news” for residents of Niger State, disclosing that FEC approved the reconstruction and dualisation of a critical highway corridor under the Federal Government’s tax credit scheme.
The project, originally awarded to CGC in 2022, was rescoped to cover approximately 400.9 kilometres, resulting in a dual carriageway of about 801.8 kilometres. The contract was awarded to Dangote Industries Limited under the Road Infrastructure Development and Refurbishment Investment Tax Credit Scheme at a total cost of N1.8325 trillion.
He explained that the decision followed repeated fatal accidents along the corridor, including incidents involving fallen fuel tankers that claimed many lives.
In addition, FEC approved 23 road projects across Adamawa, Taraba, Ebonyi, Kwara, Cross River, Kogi, Lagos, Niger and Plateau states, with a combined value of N2.078 trillion.
Some of the major projects include the construction of the Tungo–Karamati Road with five bridges linking Adamawa and Taraba states, awarded to Wiz China Worldwide Engineering Company for N62.993 billion, and the Gemetta–Mayuni–Mayo Belwa Road with bridges in Adamawa State, awarded to Triacta Nigeria Limited for about N83 billion.
Other approvals include the dualisation of the Abakaliki–Afikpo Road in Ebonyi State, awarded to SKECC Nigeria Limited for approximately N16 billion, as well as the construction of the Ikere–Ijare Road linking Ekiti and Ondo states.
Umahi said details of the remaining approved projects, including contractors and contract sums, would be made available to the media.