The Federal Government Council (FEC) on Monday accepted highway infrastructure contracts value N4.2 trillion, protecting key highways and bridges throughout Nigeria.
This was disclosed by the Minister of Works, David Umahi, who briefed newsmen after the resumed Council assembly presided over by President Bola Tinubu on the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Based on Umahi, the tasks crisscross a number of states, with a give attention to enhancing connectivity, enhancing highway security, and supporting financial progress.
The contracts, he mentioned, embody new constructions, rehabilitation of deteriorating sections, and enlargement of essential routes, with many tasks shifting in the direction of concrete pavement for sturdiness.
The most important allocation went to the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Freeway, with the cupboard approving N1.334 trillion for the development of a 130-kilometer twin carriageway, protecting 65 kilometers in Lagos and Ogun states and a further stretch ranging from Calabar via Akwa Ibom.
The venture, in response to him, will likely be executed underneath an Engineering, Procurement, and Building (EPC) framework with a 10-year upkeep plan.
FEC accepted N470.9 billion for the Delta State entry highway and N148 billion for the Anambra State entry highway to the Second Niger Bridge.
Based on Umahi, each roads will likely be constructed utilizing concrete to make sure long-term resilience.
The Lagos-Ibadan Expressway (Part 2, Part 1) acquired N195 billion approval to bear reconstruction underneath the Presidential Infrastructure Improvement Fund (PIDF), specializing in enhancing site visitors stream and lowering congestion alongside the busy hall.
The Abuja-Kano highway venture, beforehand dealt with by Julius Berger, has been restructured into two heaps following contract termination, together with Lot 1 (FCT-Niger boundary): Expanded by 5.71 km in the direction of Kogi State and Lot 3 (Kano part): prolonged by 17 km. The minister mentioned the full size of the venture is now 118 km, with photo voltaic avenue lighting deliberate all through. Part 1 will likely be constructed with concrete, whereas Part 3 will use asphalt.
The reconstruction of three sections of the Lokoja-Benin highway will likely be finished solely with concrete for sturdiness at N305 billion, together with Obajana to Benin (Part I): N64 billion; Auchi to Edo (Part II): N110 billion; and Benin Airport space (Part III): N131 billion.
A contract value N3.571 billion was accepted for an in depth structural evaluation of the Third Mainland Bridge and Carter Bridge in Lagos.
He mentioned this analysis goals to stop additional deterioration, constructing on findings from assessments performed in 2009 and 2013, which recognized progressive structural decay.
FEC additionally accepted the Ado-Ekiti–Igede Street Venture (N5.4 billion) as a part of a sequence of smaller highway upgrades in Ekiti State to enhance native connectivity and cut back journey time.
N22 billion was accepted for the Onitsha-Owerri Expressway. The expressway will bear rehabilitation to ease motion between Anambra and Imo States, fostering commerce inside the southeastern area.
Wusasa-Jos Route (Kaduna State) was accepted at N18 billion to reinforce highway security and cut back journey time between Kaduna and Plateau States.
The Abia and Enugu State Street Venture acquired N12.75 billion in a joint venture in Abia and Enugu states that may give attention to key sections inside the funds limits, addressing long-standing infrastructure gaps.
Umahi emphasised that almost all new tasks, together with the Lokoja-Benin and Abuja-Kano roads, will likely be constructed utilizing strengthened concrete pavement as an alternative of conventional asphalt.
“Concrete roads should not solely extra sturdy but additionally cost-effective in the long term,” Umahi said. “In reality, the price of these concrete tasks is considerably cheaper than earlier asphalt-based contracts rejected by some contractors.”
The minister additional addressed considerations about terminated contracts, significantly with Julius Berger, clarifying that the federal government has negotiated cost-saving measures. Tools from earlier contractors will likely be repurposed to keep away from pointless mobilization prices.
Umahi additionally dismissed latest media experiences about faux firms being awarded contracts, assuring Nigerians that due diligence was adopted in deciding on credible contractors.
“We’ve resolved misunderstandings with key stakeholders, together with media organizations, to make sure transparency. The businesses dealing with these tasks are official and well-equipped,” he added. “This isn’t nearly roads; it’s about driving Nigeria’s financial transformation. We’re dedicated to delivering sturdy, cost-effective infrastructure that may stand the check of time.”
FEC additionally accepted highway development tasks value about N159.5 billion for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), concentrating on infrastructure improvement inside the metropolis and its satellite tv for pc cities. The Minister of State for the FCT, Mariya Mahmoud Bunkure, disclosed this throughout a post-FEC media briefing, detailing the 5 main tasks aimed toward enhancing accessibility and concrete improvement.
These embody the Bus Terminal Entry Street, Mabushi, awarded to Messrs SETRACO Nigeria Restricted at the price of N30.97 billion. It has a completion interval of 18 months.
The council accepted the Arterial Street from Wuye District to Ring Street II, awarded to Messrs Arab Contractors Nigeria Restricted at the price of N62.5 billion and with a completion interval of 20 months. Additionally accepted is the Kuje-Gwagwalada Twin Carriageway Building to Messrs Gilmor Engineering Nigeria Restricted at N7.49 billion; the Rehabilitation of Outdated Keffi Street (Kado Village to Dei Dei) awarded to Messrs Lubric Building Firm Restricted at N26.87 billion with a completion time of 18 months.
There’s additionally a contract for the development of the entry highway to Renewed Hope Cities and Estates (Kasana West District) to Messrs Lubric Building Nigeria Restricted within the sum of N31.66 billion with a completion time of 18 months.
The Minister emphasised that these tasks align with the FCT administration’s dedication to city enlargement, improved highway networks, and enhanced connectivity throughout Abuja.
She mentioned the contracts have been awarded to respected development corporations with monitor data of delivering high quality infrastructure tasks.
She assured residents that the tasks could be accomplished inside the stipulated timelines to reinforce mobility and financial improvement within the capital.