The Federal Executive Council (FEC), led by President Bola Tinubu, has approved funding for several key road projects across the country.
Minister of Works, David Umahi, disclosed this while addressing journalists after the FEC meeting at the State House in Abuja.
He highlighted that major upcoming infrastructure projects, including the Lokoja-Benin and Abuja-Kano highways, will be constructed using reinforced concrete pavement instead of traditional asphalt.
According to Umahi, concrete roads offer greater durability and cost-effectiveness. He also warned contractors against delivering substandard work.
“Concrete roads are not only more durable but also more cost-effective in the long run. In fact, the cost of these concrete projects is significantly lower than previous asphalt-based contracts that some contractors rejected,” Umahi stated.
“We will not accept excuses like high temperatures for road failures. Any defective sections will be reconstructed with strict oversight,” he added.
Breakdown of Approved Road Projects and Budgets
Lokoja-Benin Road: ₦305 billion has been approved for reconstructing three segments with concrete. This includes:
₦64 billion for Section I (Obajana to Benin)
₦110 billion for Section II (Auchi to Edo)
₦131 billion for Section III (Benin Airport area)
Lagos-Ibadan Expressway (Phase 2, Section 1): ₦195 billion allocated under the Presidential Infrastructure Development Fund (PIDF).
Access Roads:
₦470.9 billion for an access road in Delta State.
₦148 billion for the access road to the Second Niger Bridge in Anambra State.
Structural Evaluations: ₦3.571 billion approved for comprehensive assessments of the Third Mainland Bridge and Carter Bridge in Lagos.
Other Approved Projects:
Ado-Ekiti–Igede Road Project: ₦5.4 billion.
Onitsha-Owerri Expressway: ₦22 billion.
Wusasa-Jos Road (Kaduna State): ₦18 billion.
Abia and Enugu Road Project: ₦12.75 billion.
Abuja-Kano Highway: ₦252 billion allocated, with two major sections:
Section 1: Extends from the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) boundary to Niger State, including an additional 5.71 kilometers.
Section 2: Covers areas within Kano State, featuring a 17-kilometer extension.
The government’s shift to concrete roads aims to enhance infrastructure longevity while ensuring more cost-effective execution.
