FEC approves N660bn For Aba-Ikot Ekpene, Uturu-Isikwato-Akara, Other Federal highway contracts
The Federal Executive Council on Wednesday approved 13 contracts for the Ministry of Works, aimed at rehabilitating, rescoping and completing critical road infrastructure inherited from the previous administration.
The Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, disclosed this when briefing State House Correspondents after the 25th Federal Executive Council meeting held on Wednesday, March 5, 2025 at the Aso Rock Villa, Abuja.
Among the key projects is the rescoping and variation of the Alkaleri-Ukuk Road in Bauchi State, which has now been phased for completion in six months, with a contract sum of N11.28bn.
Similarly, the Uturu-Isikwato-Akara Road in Abia State was revised for phased completion, with phase one valued at N5.93bn.
Umahi said that the adjustments are part of a broader plan to allocate resources strategically, ensuring that available funds are used effectively to complete sections of ongoing projects before committing to new ones.
Approval was also granted for the construction of a new road spanning Zaria Hunkuyi, Kolmani, Danbali, Maraba, Kanya, Subawa, and Kasa in Kaduna and Katsina states. The project, awarded to Mothercat Nigeria Limited, was contracted at N198bn and will be executed over 36 months.
Additionally, a section of the Kano-Maiduguri Road, previously awarded to Dantata and Sawoe, was reassigned to Tracta Nigeria Limited after a competitive bidding process.
The project, covering the Kano-Wudil-Shuari axis, is valued at N128.40bn, with a construction period of 18 months.
The approvals also include the rehabilitation of Wukari-Akwana Road in Taraba State, rescoped to N12.62bn and scheduled for completion in 12 months.
Similarly, the Bida-Lambatta Road in Niger State was revised, with phase one now set at N39.49bn for a six-month completion period.
In Kebbi State, the FG approved N2.65bn for the 57-kilometre Bagudu Road project, focusing on protecting ongoing works, particularly the binder course, from environmental damage.
Other projects include the Iyin-Ilawi-Ekiti Road (Section One), which was initially approved with an error, now corrected with a new contract value of N15.63bn.
“And this project is being done by Kingly Global Venture Limited. It was procured for N15bn, but there was a mistake from the Ministry of Works. And so, what was presented to FEC was N13.74bn and it was approved.
“So when we discovered the mistake, we had to now run back to BPP to obtain a fresh objection of N15.63bn, and FEC has withdrawn the previous approval and adopted the N15.63bn.
The Ilogu Road in Kwara and Osun States was also been rescoped with a six-month completion plan at N7.56bn.
Additionally, FEC approved the rescoping and variation of the Aba-Nnewi-Arisizogu-Okigwe Road, which cuts across Imo and Anambra States.
The contract was revised to ensure phase one is completed within six months, for N8.45bn, based on available funding.
In Lagos, the Outer Marina Shore Protection Project saw its contract sum increase from N144bn to N176bn, following a review that incorporated additional shoreline protection needs, particularly for Navy, Army, Police, and rail infrastructure along the coastline.
The minister emphasised that the project is crucial to safeguarding federal institutions and assets from further coastal erosion.
Umahi said another intervention was the Cham-Numan Road and Bridge project, which suffered severe damage during flooding in October.
He noted that President Bola Tinubu personally intervened, directing that the project be completed as quickly as possible.
He said the road, which was broken into two due to extreme weather, is now undergoing reconstruction, with final approvals granted by FEC.
The Aba-Ikot Ekpene Road dualisation project was also revised, with its first phase valued at N30bn.
The minister noted that the FG hopes to prioritise funding for ongoing projects, ensuring that completed road sections are protected from deterioration, particularly from heavy rainfall.
He stressed that all projects have been rescoped based on available funding.
SOURCE: PUNCH
