The President Muhammadu Buhari-led federal cabinet has approved the building of a retaining wall for a salt project in Ebonyi.

This was disclosed by the Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Olamilekan Adegbite, after the Federal Executive Council meeting on Wednesday at the State House.

He said the salt if fully tapped, could save the country millions of dollars from importing the commodity.

Mr Adegbite added that the proposed wall would be 27 kilometres long, about 2.9 meters high, and would be funded directly by the presidency, adding that the project would be achieved in six months. 

Also arising from the meeting, information minister Lai Mohammed announced the approval of N27 billion for the rehabilitation of a 27km road linking Ondo and Edo.

Mr Mohammed told State House correspondents that the funds were for rehabilitating the Idoani-Otuwo road linking Ondo and Edo.

“The contract is for the sum of N27,233,577,000 billion, and it has a completion period of 27 months.”

Also addressing the correspondents on the outcome of the FEC meeting, the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Niyi Adebayo, disclosed that the council approved the second phase of the National Sugar Master Plan, which started in 2012.

He said the council approved the commencement of the second phase from 2023-2033 for another period of ten years.

”Today, the council approved the extension from 2023-2033, and the whole idea is for the development of the sugar industry, aimed at self-sufficiency in sugar production,” he stated.

(NAN)