Manny Ita –
Nigeria’s Federal Executive Council (FEC), chaired by President Bola Tinubu, has approved six major road projects across the country, including the planned demolition and reconstruction of the Carter Bridge in Lagos.
The Minister of Works, David Umahi, disclosed this while briefing State House correspondents after the council meeting on Wednesday.
According to him, the projects approved include the reconstruction of the 103-kilometre Ibadan–Ife–Ilesa dual carriageway, which has been re-awarded for ₦427 billion after minimal progress was recorded by the previous contractor.
He also announced the review and redesign of the 132-kilometre Kano–Kongolam road linking Kano, Jigawa State and Katsina State. The project, valued at ₦334 billion, was initially designed as an asphalt road but will now be constructed as a three-lane concrete carriageway with solar-powered streetlights and closed-circuit television (CCTV) installations.
Mr Umahi said the council also approved the second phase of the rehabilitation of the Keffi–Nasarawa–Abaji road, covering 129.3 kilometres at a cost of ₦203 billion, noting that the project would enhance connectivity between Nasarawa State and the Federal Capital Territory.
The minister further stated that the council approved the completion of the remaining 71 kilometres of the Suleja–Minna dual carriageway at a cost of ₦91 billion. He explained that the project was previously awarded to Salini Construction Company but the contract was terminated due to poor performance.
“The Suleja–Minna Road was originally awarded to Salini Construction Company but was terminated due to poor job done. Only 10 kilometres of the road was completed before the termination,” Mr Umahi said.
He explained that the government has now resolved to complete the remaining section of the project, with one carriageway awarded to China Geo-Engineering Corporation (CGC) while approval for the second carriageway has been cleared by the Bureau of Public Procurement.
Mr Umahi also announced the approval of the detailed design and costing for the demolition and reconstruction of the Carter Bridge in Lagos. The design phase of the project was awarded to Advanced Engineering Consultants at a cost of ₦5.6 billion.
He said a technical evaluation showed the bridge could no longer be rehabilitated, making demolition and replacement necessary.
In addition, the council approved the reconstruction of an 86-kilometre section of the Abuja–Lokoja road at a cost of ₦146 billion. Mr Umahi said the project would be executed using reinforced concrete and handled by five contractors, including Julius Berger, which is already working on other sections of the corridor.
Mr Umahi added that the federal government plans to commission at least four road projects in each of the country’s six geo-political zones by 15 May.
