FEC Approves N438bn Road Projects, Concessions Nationwide
The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved road construction and rehabilitation projects valued at about N438 billion across the country.
The approvals, which were granted at the council’s meeting presided over by President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Wednesday, also included concessions for trailer parks and major highways under public-private partnership arrangements.
The Minister of State for Works, Bello Goronyo, disclosed this while briefing State House correspondents after the meeting.
Goronyo said the council considered about 15 memoranda submitted by various ministries, with seven coming from the Ministry of Works.
He said the approved road projects included the reconstruction of the Ado-Ekiti-Iyin-Aramoko-Itawure-Osun border road in Ekiti State, awarded to CBC Global Civil and Building Construction Nigeria Ltd. for N159.83 billion.
The council also ratified variation orders for the rehabilitation of the Abeokuta-Iboro-Ilaro Road in Ogun State at a cost of N54.12 billion. The variation involves changing the pavement design from rigid concrete to asphalt.
Similarly, FEC approved the reconstruction of the 15-kilometre Port Harcourt-Eleme Junction-Onne Port Junction section of the East-West Road in Rivers State.
The project, awarded to RCC Nigeria Ltd. for N74.51 billion, is expected to be completed within nine months.
Another approval covers Phase II of the rehabilitation of the Ado-Ekiti-Afe Babalola University Road in Ekiti State, which forms part of the Ado-Ijan-Iluomobi-Imesi-Ondo border route. The project is valued at N54.52 billion.
The council also approved the construction of Phases II to V of the Ilara-Iselu Road in Ogun State. The project was awarded to JRB Construction Company Ltd. for N94.24 billion and is expected to be completed within 24 months.
Goronyo said the projects were aimed at improving road connectivity, facilitating the movement of people and goods, reducing infrastructure deficits and stimulating economic activities.
He described roads as critical enablers of economic growth, noting that improved transportation infrastructure would create better conditions for trade and other commercial activities.
On the trailer park concessions, the minister said the Federal Government had approved public-private partnership arrangements aimed at relocating heavy-duty vehicles from highways and improving road safety.
He explained that the private concessionaires would design, finance, construct, operate and maintain the facilities, adding that the Federal Government would not fund the concessioned trailer park projects.
Among the approvals was the development of the 7.9-kilometre Dikko-Maje section of the Suleja-Minna Road in Niger State.
Graciatech Engineering Nigeria Ltd. will develop the project at N56.75 billion under a 40-year concession.
FEC also approved the operation and maintenance of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway by LIB Concession Group at a cost of N96.43 billion under a 25-year concession.
In Abia State, the council approved the development of a greenfield trailer park at Aro-Ngwa. Greg Jane International Ltd. will undertake the project at N19.70 billion under a 50-year concession.
Goronyo said the approvals demonstrated the Tinubu administration’s commitment to attracting private-sector capital and expertise to the development and maintenance of critical infrastructure.
He added that the projects would enhance road safety, improve transportation networks and support economic growth in various parts of the country.
