FEC allocates N759bn for road construction

The Federal Executive Council, FEC, has given the green light for the allocation of N759 billion for the construction of roads linking Obajana to Benin and Isheri to Ogun.

The FEC gave its approval yesterday for the allocation of N873.23 billion towards implementing three projects nationwide under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Works.

During a discussion with journalists at the State House in Abuja following the FEC meeting, Works Minister Dave Umahi mentioned several projects, including the Obajana-Benin Road, Isheri-Ogun Road, and the Outer Marina Shoreline protection.

The minister emphasized that the increase in cement prices is unrelated to the concrete road policy implemented by his ministry.

Umahi announced that funding has been allocated for various road projects, including additional funding for the Obajana-Benin dualisation project, the Isheri-Ogun Road, and the Outer Marina Shoreline protection.

He said: “Today we’ve got augmentation approved for Obajana in Lokoja to Benin Road, a total of 244-km and 489-km dualized. Recall that in 2012, this project was awarded to four contractors – CGC; Mothercat; Dantata & Sawoe and RCC at a total cost of N122 billion and that was for light rehabilitation.

“Around 2018, the past administration reviewed the project and dualised it and that’s why you have a total of 489-km and now got ‘No-Objection’ from the Bureau of Public Enterprise (BPP).

“When I came on board in August, we were supposed to present the ‘no-objection’ to FEC in line with due process and we decided to review the project, one, to determine whether the dualisation was desirable in view of the economic challenges and two, to see the texture of the soil and what to do.

“We had to restore the project now, but we didn’t increase the cost. We got approval for argumentation from N122 billion to N897 billion. The contractors were off-site because they would not be working and they would not be paid based on the new basic rate. We got them back to the site and today (yesterday) we got approval.”

“The Council also gave its approval for the allocation of N2.23 billion to the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency. This funding will be utilized towards the repair and maintenance of the road infrastructure connecting Isheri North to Ogun State.

“Now, under FERMA, we got approval for the construction of Isheri North, Lagos route, which is to connect Ogun State. This is an alternative route to Lagos – Shagamu Road and we’re going to toll this Lagos-Shagamu when completed. But by law, you only toll a federal road when you have an alternative.

“This approval of about N2.23 billion to connect Isheri North to Ogun State is a breakthrough that has freed the Lagos-Shagamu for tolling.”