The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved several high-profile road projects, including N740 billion for the Berger stretch of the Abuja-Kano route.
This was disclosed by the Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, during a briefing at the State House following the cabinet meeting presided over by President Bola Tinubu.
Umahi clarified the government’s strategy for addressing the extensive backlog of infrastructure projects.
He noted that the Shagamu-Benin Road is undergoing critical rehabilitation, and procurement processes are being finalized for its full reconstruction using reinforced concrete pavement.
Regarding the Abuja-Kano Road, which was initially planned under a tax credit arrangement, Umahi announced that it will now proceed without that provision.
The 162-kilometre Berger section has been approved for N740 billion.
He also mentioned the commencement of construction on the Sokoto-Badagry Road, with the Sokoto section to be flagged off soon.
Additionally, work will resume on the Oyo-Ogbomosho Road, a project that has been stalled for 18 years, while significant repairs are planned for the Makurdi-Katsina-Ala Road.
Umahi explained that the FEC is addressing an inherited debt profile of N1.6 trillion tied to 2,604 projects, with a total contract value of N13 trillion. To manage this backlog, the Ministry of Works has initiated a phased approach to project completion based on available funding.
Furthermore, the council approved advanced payment mechanisms to mitigate the impact of inflation and rising costs driven by fluctuating exchange rates and petroleum prices.
