By Peter Dansu The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved N2 trillion for sections of the Sokoto–Badagry highway and another N1.65 t...
By Peter Dansu
The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved N2 trillion for sections of the Sokoto–Badagry highway and another N1.65 trillion for parts of the Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway.
Minister of Works, David Umahi, made the announcement on Thursday after the FEC meeting in Abuja. He explained that the Sokoto–Badagry project includes the award of a second carriageway covering 258 kilometres in Kebbi State at a cost of N961 billion. This is in addition to a previously awarded single carriageway in the same area, approved in August 2024 for N947 billion.
Umahi also disclosed that an extra 120 kilometres in Sokoto State has now been approved at N456 billion. Combined, the contracts for the Sokoto–Badagry highway amount to approximately N2 trillion.
He clarified that the works in Sokoto cover 120 kilometres on each carriageway, making a total of 240 kilometres at a cost of around N920 billion. In Kebbi, the total coverage stands at 516 kilometres (258 kilometres on each carriageway), amounting to roughly N2 trillion.
For the Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway, Umahi revealed that new approvals have been granted for sections 4A and 4B, covering 80.35 kilometres between Ogun and Ondo States. This six-lane highway, which will include major earthworks, soil replacement, and elevation to mitigate flooding in swampy areas, is expected to cost N1.65 trillion.
Section 4A begins in Ogun State, extending from where Section 2 ends in Lekki, and continues into Ondo State. Ogun accounts for about 40 kilometres, while Ondo covers 40.35 kilometres, totaling 80.35 kilometres, all to be constructed as a six-lane dual carriageway.
Umahi further disclosed that the Trans-Sahara Road project from Ebonyi to the Benue border has been revised due to poor soil conditions. Originally planned as a 118-kilometre stretch, the route has now been extended to 221.64 kilometres, with the addition of two bridges. The revised contract sum has increased from N361 billion to N445.851 billion.
He also revealed that several other road projects across the country have been revised or received additional funding. The Biu–Numan road, spanning Borno and Adamawa States, was initially awarded in 2020 for 45 kilometres at N15.43 billion. Due to inflation and other economic pressures, the cost has now risen to N61.763 billion, although the original design remains unchanged.
In Nasarawa State, the 43.6-kilometre Maraba–Keffi dual carriageway, awarded in May 2023, will now be constructed using concrete pavement. Following the removal of fuel subsidy and changes in exchange rates, the project will be executed in phases. With N76 billion available from NNPC cash reserves, one carriageway and 2 kilometres of the second carriageway will be completed, while the remaining sections will be maintained.
For the Ikorodu–Shagamu road in Lagos State, which was last reviewed in March 2023 and is currently about 25 percent complete, FEC has approved an additional N11.423 billion to fast-track the project.
In Yobe State, the 36.2-kilometre Kashamu–Amshi–Guru–Gurus road has been revised to include a binder course, the replacement of a pedestrian bridge with a vehicle bridge, and concrete protection for swampy areas. These additions have raised the project cost by N8.94 billion, up from the initial N14.526 billion.
Meanwhile, the Ado Ekiti–Afe Babalola University road project, initially awarded in February 2023 to cover 40.72 kilometres, has been scaled down due to funding constraints. It will now span only 14.4 kilometres, with a revised cost of N9.32 billion.
No comments