The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved 13 contracts for the Ministry of Works, totalling N679 billion, to facilitate road rehabilitation and new construction projects across several states.
Approval includes rescoping, variation, and fresh contracts to ensure infrastructure development aligns with available funds.
Speaking after the FEC meeting, Minister of Works Dave Umahi outlined the details of the contracts, emphasising the need to prioritise existing projects.
Among the approvals, the Aakalari-Ukuk Road in Bauchi State received a phased completion approach. Phase 1 is set for six months and will cost N11.278 billion.
Similarly, the Uturu-Isuikwuato-Akara Road in Abia State will undergo a phased execution, with Phase 1 estimated at N5.926 billion for completion in six months.
A significant new project involves the construction of a road from Zaria through Ukui to Kolomani, Dan Bali, Maraba, Kanya, Subawa, and Kasa in Kaduna and Katsina States. MotherCat Nigeria Limited has been awarded the contract, valued at N198 billion, for a 36-month construction period.
Another notable award is the rehabilitation of the Kano-Maiduguri Road, specifically a section previously terminated from Dantata Sowo. Now reassigned to Tractor Nigeria Limited, the contract will run for 18 months for N128.395 billion.
In Kebbi State, the 57-kilometer Bagudu Road project was approved for N2.645 billion, ensuring ongoing works are protected from damage. Similarly, the Obanewi-Arisizogu-Okiwe Road in the Imo and Anambra States will see a six-month rescuing at a cost of N8.45 billion for Phase One.
A correction was made regarding the Enyi-Ilawi-Ekiti Road project, initially approved for N13.736 billion. Upon discovering an error in the earlier presentation, the Ministry sought FEC’s approval for the correct amount of N15.626 billion, which was granted.
Additional contracts include: “ Ilogu Road in Kwara/Osun States – N7.556 billion for Phase One (six-month duration).
“Wukari-Akwana Road in Taraba State – N12.615 billion (12-month duration).
“Bida-Lapaya-Lambda Road in Niger State – N39.493 billion for Phase One (six-month duration).
“Gada-Zamazuru-Gamji Road in Kebbi State – N11.976 billion (six-month duration). “Kamakish Road in Oyo State – N12.35 billion (12-month duration).
Umahi stressed that FEC directed the Ministry to prioritize inherited projects, ensuring funds are utilised effectively.
He highlighted the importance of protecting existing infrastructure, particularly roads with binder courses that rainfall could damage.
Additionally, FEC approved an adjustment in the Outer Marina Shore Protection Project in Lagos, initially excluding certain federal institutions.
The contract sum has increased from N144 billion to N176 billion to cover additional shoreline protection for the Nigerian Navy and other federal infrastructure in the area.
Umahi also provided an update on the Charm-Numan Road and Bridge project, which was severely impacted by flooding in October 2024. The revised contract was approved, ensuring the bridge’s completion.
Finally, the Aba-Ikot Ekpene Road dualisation is set to progress in phases, with CGC Nigeria Limited being awarded N30 billion for the first phase.
The Minister reaffirmed the federal government’s commitment to infrastructure development, noting that all projects are being executed within budgetary allocations to ensure timely completion.
“And let me say that the directive of the Federal Executive Council is to ensure that we stick to all the inherited projects, rescope the project, and prioritise it based on available funds. So what we had to do is to say now, Okay, this is one. “
“This fund available, and we use the fund available to protect the already completed, you know, don’t work, work, you know, improve this. In some cases, we have a lot of binary costs that are done.
“And if you allow it and rain falls on it, there will be destruction. Therefore, our focus will be this amount that is in the budget. We must use it to cover the costs to protect the pavement.”
