NEC sets up committee to drive Tinubu’s legacy projects

By Kunle Sanni –

The National Economic Council (NEC) has approved the constitution of a high-level, bipartisan committee to drive the implementation of President Bola Tinubu’s legacy infrastructure projects, with the Governor of Cross River State, Prince Bassey Edet appointed as chairman.

The decision was taken on Thursday during the 156th meeting of NEC, which was also its first meeting of the year. The meeting was held virtually and chaired by Vice President Kashim Shettima.

The committee is to oversee the actualisation of the president’s directive on key legacy projects, including the Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway and the Sokoto–Badagry Super Highway, which are considered central to the administration’s long-term economic transformation agenda.

In addition to the Cross River governor as chair, one governor from each of the six geopolitical zones will serve as members: Sokoto (North West), Gombe (North East), Niger (North Central), Abia (South East) and Lagos (South West). The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, Mrs Deborah Odoh, will serve as secretary, while the Ministers of Works and Transportation are also members.

Briefing the Council, the NEC Secretariat said implementation processes for the highways have commenced and are being coordinated by the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, in line with President Tinubu’s directive. The council was also informed that the Office of the Surveyor-General of the Federation has been moved to the Presidency to strengthen coordination and fast-track delivery of the projects.

Vice President Shettima added that the legacy projects are critical to unlocking investments, boosting economic activities along major corridors and supporting Nigeria’s transition from oil dependence to a more diversified and resilient economy.