The Federal Executive Council (FEC), at its meeting on Monday, approved a revised scope for the Sokoto-Zamfara-Katsina-Kaduna dual carriageway, a 375-kilometer project initiated under the previous administration. The Sokoto-Zamfara section, originally awarded at N105 billion, will now cover 82.4 kilometers and six bridges, still within the original budget.
The Council also approved the allocation of N787.14 billion and $651.7 million for road and infrastructure projects spanning 13 states.
Briefing journalists after the meeting, Minister of Works Dave Umahi announced new and revised contracts for road construction and rehabilitation in several states.
Among the major updates is the modification of the Akure-Eta-Ogbese-Iju-Ekiti to Ikere-Ado-Ekiti dual carriageway, covering parts of Ondo and Ekiti States. Umahi stated that 15 kilometers of the 18.438-kilometer stretch will be constructed with available funds at a revised cost of N19.407 billion.
In Borno State, the long-delayed 105-kilometer Maiduguri-Monguno road will now be executed in phases. The first 30-kilometer segment has been awarded at N21 billion, with subsequent phases to be considered later by the Council.
New contracts also received approval, including the construction of the Abakaliki-Afikpo Flyover in Ebonyi State (N25 billion), and the Ikoga Road and Atan-Alapoti-Ado-Odo Road in Ogun State (N37.045 billion).
Highlighting the government’s collaboration with the private sector through tax credit financing, Umahi noted that the Enugu-Onitsha road, partly funded by MTN, will be redesigned to span 77 kilometers at a cost of N150 billion.
In the Southwest, the final 96-kilometer segment of the Benin-Shagamu-Ore road has been approved at N187 billion.
On the international front, Umahi announced that the 50-kilometer 7th Axial Road project, which includes five kilometers of bridges, has secured $651.7 million in funding from China Exim Bank. He emphasized its importance as a strategic evacuation corridor for goods from the Lekki Deep Seaport, including shipments from the Dangote Refinery and Fertiliser Plant.
The Council also confirmed previously announced projects such as the N30.23 billion Aba-Ikot-Ekpene road; revised shoreline protection works at Ebute-Ero and Outer Marina (N176.495 billion); and the phased rehabilitation of the Cham-Numan stretch of the Gombe-Yola road, beginning with a N9.253 billion
