The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved N631.3 billion for nine road projects nationwide to improve connectivity, ease transportation and support economic growth.

The Minister of Works, David Umahi, disclosed this on Wednesday while briefing State House correspondents after the Council meeting presided over by President Bola Tinubu in Abuja.

Mr Umahi said the projects covered the construction, reconstruction and rehabilitation of major roads to improve accessibility and facilitate the movement of people and goods.

The largest allocation was N209 billion for reconstructing the 81.1-kilometre Ado–Ilawe–Ilumaba–Ikole Road in Ekiti, including a bridge.

The council also approved N167 billion for reconstructing the 95-kilometre Etuke–Okeni–Ankpa–Otopa Road in Kogi.

Another N89.2 billion was approved for constructing the 47-kilometre Bichi Ring Road, including a flyover.

Mr Umahi said FEC approved about N62 billion for the Tungo–Karamti Road linking Adamawa and Taraba, which will include five bridges.

Other approvals included N30 billion for remedial works on deteriorated sections of the East–West Road.

The council also approved N28.218 billion for rehabilitating a 17-kilometre section of the Sokoto–Illela Road, Route A1.

Mr Umahi said N20.257 billion was approved for an 18-kilometre road linking Asiago to the Port Harcourt–Enugu Expressway.

He added that N11.33 billion was approved for a road project previously undertaken by the Abia Government.

The project required federal intervention after its funding arrangement under the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Ltd.’s tax-credit scheme was discontinued.

Mr Umahi said the council commended Mr Tinubu on completing the first 118-kilometre section of the Abuja–Kaduna–Zaria Road.

He said the section was completed in 30 months, with 81 kilometres constructed using reinforced concrete pavement.

Work on the second section, covering 164 kilometres, was nearing completion, with only 16 kilometres remaining.

The minister added that solar-powered streetlights would be installed along the entire 375-kilometre Abuja–Kaduna–Zaria–Kano corridor.

On the Lagos–Abidjan coastal highway, Mr Umahi said ministers from participating countries would meet on Friday to discuss funding arrangements.

He said Nigeria’s section covered 79 kilometres, while Togo accounted for 89 kilometres, Ghana 576 kilometres, Côte d’Ivoire 155 kilometres and Benin Republic 128 kilometres.

According to Mr Umahi, the proposed arrangement would involve the African Development Bank providing loans to participating countries to finance their respective sections.

The regional highway is expected to strengthen connectivity and facilitate trade among participating West African countries. 

(NAN)