The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved the construction of 14 roads and bridges in Ekiti, Adamawa, Kebbi, and Enugu States that were severely impacted by flooding. Works Minister David Umahi announced this decision while addressing reporters after the FEC meeting.
In addition to the aforementioned states, the approved projects will also be implemented in Cross River, Ondo, Osun, Ebonyi, Abia, and Imo States. The contracts awarded include repairs for the Gamboru Bridge along the Gambor-Ngala/Kala-Balge Road in Borno.
Umahi also mentioned the approval of a new contract for the rehabilitation of the Maraban-Kankara/Funtua Road in Katsina State and the construction of a 258-kilometer, three-lane carriageway, which is part of the 1,000 Sokoto/Badagry Super-highway, Section 2, Phase 2A.
Furthermore, the FEC greenlighted the construction and dualization of the Afikpo-Uturu-Okigwe Road in Ebonyi, Abia, and Imo States. The construction of the Bodo-Bonny Road in Rivers, to be executed by Julius Berger, was also approved, with an additional ₦80 billion allocated, raising the project’s total cost to ₦280 billion.
Regarding the Third Mainland Bridge, Umahi stated that significant emergency works were carried out to address safety concerns, which had resulted in numerous accidents. Improvements included the installation of solar lights, CCTV cameras, and relief stations to mitigate road congestion.
Umahi detailed the negotiations with Julius Berger, which originally proposed a revised contract sum of ₦1.5 trillion. To manage costs, the projects were divided into three sections, allowing two to be funded through tax credits.
In total, the FEC approved a contract sum of ₦740 billion for the Third Mainland Bridge work, with adjustments made based on previous payments by the last administration.
Lastly, the FEC approved the construction of a service lane on the Lekki Deep Seaport Road due to concerns about fuel trucks queuing at the Dangote Refinery. To address this, the council approved the concession of federal land for the construction of a toll park, which will allow trucks to be parked safely away from the roads
