FEC approves N787.14bn, $651.7m for infrastructure projects across 13 states
By Kunle Sanni
The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved a range of new and revised infrastructure projects across the country, including major roadworks and ecological interventions aimed at enhancing connectivity and resilience.
Speaking to journalists after the FEC meeting held on Monday, Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, disclosed that the Council approved road construction and upgrade projects in 13 states, as part of efforts to modernize Nigeria’s transport and infrastructure network.
Among the key approvals was the rescoping and variation of the dualisation project connecting Akure-Eta-Ogbese-Iju-Ekiti border to Ikere-Ado-Ekiti in Ondo and Ekiti States. Of the 18.4-kilometre stretch, 15 kilometres will now be executed within the available funding envelope, at a revised cost of N19.4 billion.
In the Northwest, a similar revision was applied to the 375-kilometre Sokoto-Zamfara-Katsina-Kaduna dual carriageway, which the current administration inherited. The Sokoto-Zamfara portion will now cover 82.4 kilometres, including six bridges, still within the original N105 billion contract sum.
FEC also approved a phased implementation of the long-delayed 105-kilometre Maiduguri-Monguno road in Borno State. The first 30-kilometre segment has been awarded at N21 billion, with subsequent phases to follow based on progress.
New road projects were approved in the Southeast and Southwest regions, including the construction of the Abakaliki-Afikpo Flyover in Ebonyi State at N25 billion, and two road projects in Ogun State—Ikoga Road and the Atan-Alapoti-Ado-Odo Road—valued at N37.05 billion.
Highlighting private sector collaboration, Umahi noted that the Enugu-Onitsha road project, benefiting from MTN’s participation under a tax credit scheme, has been rescoped to 77 kilometres and will now be executed at a cost of N150 billion.
The Council also endorsed the construction of the remaining 96-kilometre section of the Benin-Shagamu-Ore expressway in the Southwest at a contract sum of N187 billion. Dr. Emanso Umobong, Permanent Secretary of the Cabinet Affairs Office, added that several ecological and agricultural infrastructure projects were also included as part of the government’s broader development strategy.
