FG okays N452bn for 14 roads nationwide, FCT water projects

The Federal Government on Tuesday approved 14 major road projects worth N249.15bn across the country, as part of the Renewed Hope Administration’s comprehensive review and rescoping of inherited infrastructure initiatives.

The Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, speaking to journalists after the 23rd Federal Executive Council meeting at the Aso Rock Villa, Abuja, said these projects span multiple states.

Umahi said the substantial funding allocations is to expedite completion and enhance connectivity nationwide.

He explained that, in Niger State, the Agaie–Katcha–Baro Road will be executed by Messrs GR Building Construction Limited for N22bn.

In Cross River State, Samatech was awarded a N26.335bn contract for the rehabilitation of the Odukpani Junction and the central section of the Calabar–Ikom–Ogoja Road.

Other approvals include N10.89bn for Ajaokuta–Ajibo/Iyana-Mosa Road in Ogun State (awarded to Messrs HM Construction Limited and N9.33bn for the Inoma–Iyaka–Abaji section of the Ibaji–Odulu–Ajibu Road in Anambra State to be handled by Niger Cat.

He continued, “The next one is the construction at Umuahia Ituano-Ikot Ekpene road, Umuahia Emudike. The name of the contractor is Messers Heartland Reckon Construction Company. The amount is 14.37bn.

“Next is the Kaduna–Jos Road (Phase 1) in Kaduna state and Plateau State. The contractor is Setraco, and the amount is N33.42bn. The next one is the Yola-Fufure Road in Adamawa state, and the amount is N11.81bn, and the contractor is WisChina Worldwide Engineering Limited.”

Ogun State, Aretha Construction Limited was awarded N13bn for the Ijebu–Ibutita–Ebe Road.

Among other approvals is a N7.68bn contract for Amido Road in Taraba State, awarded to Messer Mode Limited; a N14.49bn contract for the Nkomoro–Isu Road (Enugu and Ebonyi States) awarded to Arab Contractors; and N11.55 bn for Ikot Ekpene Border/Aba–Owerri Road dualisation (also to Arab Contractors).

The Gashua–Bayamari Road (Section 2) in Yobe State will be handled by Messrs Wick Rock for N9.68 bn, while Arab Contractors secured a N27.59bn deal for Phase 1 of the Ikorodu–Shagamu Road, connected to the broader Lagos–Ibadan Road network.

The Minister also provided an update on the Lagos–Ibadan Road project, where Mssrs Reynolds Construction Company needed an additional N30bn to finalise an 8.55km stretch on the Lagos-bound side.

“You know, there were two phases. The first section is being completed by Julius Berger and the second section is being done by RCC. However, RCC has yet to finish the Ibadan bound, and the contract value of what is left is about N4bn.

“And then the Lagos bound is about 8.55 kilometres. And this is what we misquote. That amount is 22, so you technically have about N30bn, even though the total value of the project is N230bn.

“But don’t forget that what is needed to complete that road is N30bn. And that’s Arab contractors, and we are poised to take over some of the roads if any of them will not be completed by the month of April because we need to commission that project,” he stated.

Additionally, a N7bn rescoping plan for the AK Bypass—to be handled by Ghitto Construction Limited—earned FEC approval.

Meanwhile, the Council stepped down a memo concerning the construction of the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency headquarters, requesting further research and revisions before it is re-presented.

“The FEC stepped down one memo, which is the building of the FERMA headquarters. FEC wondered why, since the establishment of FEMA (in 2002), FERMA never had headquarters, but we’ve been asked to research, recheck and resubmit it,” he explained.

For her part, the Minister of State for the Federal Capital Territory, Mariya Mahmoud, announced the approval of six key infrastructure and water supply projects presented by the FCT Administration at the Federal Executive Council meeting.

According to Mahmoud, the projects focused on bolstering infrastructure, ensuring adequate water provision and improving living conditions throughout Abuja and its environs.

The first memo approved involves building an access road to the FCT Fire Service Institution and implementing erosion control measures in the Kaura District. The contract, awarded to Mssrs Infu Ernest International Ltd, is valued at N13.18bn and is scheduled for completion in 18 months.

A second memo presented a revised estimate for engineering infrastructure in Guzape District (Lot 1). The initial contract of N22.2bn was raised by N48.61bn, bringing the new total to N70.89bn. The Minister noted an additional 18-month period to accommodate the increased scope.

“The third memo was also on approval for the provision of an access road bypassing the airport’s second railway from Clinton Drive to Tunga Madaki settlement with a full span bridge, which is about seven kilometres; the contractor is Mssrs CCECC and the contract sum is N27.6bn with a completion period of 12months,” she added.

In the fourth memo, the Council approved the rehabilitation and resurfacing of vital roads, including Yakubu Gowon Crescent leading to the Presidential Villa, Thomas Sankara Road, J.F. Kennedy Street, Ibrahim Taiwo Street, Muhammadu Ribadu Street, and Shehu Shagari Way (spanning the N13 OX junction to Maitama Roundabout). Julius Berger secured the N20.4bn contract, projected to be completed in eight months.

The fifth project pertains to finalising infrastructure in Guzape (Lots 1 and 2). Valued at N54.38bn, it will be undertaken by Dantata and Sawoe Construction Company over an 18-month period.

The Council greenlit a N17.2bn and $79,000 contract to SCC Nigeria Ltd to rehabilitate Phases one, three and four of the Lower Usuma Dam water treatment plants. This initiative, the Minister explained, aims to ensure a reliable water supply and is set for completion within 12 months.

Tuesday’s gathering is the second in the two days, as council members considered 101 memos in both sittings.