About 260 roads approved for emergency repairs nationwide including the Federal Capital Territory, (FCT), Abuja will gulp N217 billion.
The Minister of Works, David Umahi, disclosed Thursday, stating more road construction works, including project upgrades, were also approved By President Bola Tinubu.
In addition, the resurfacing of the 3rd Mainland Bridge, the construction of Lekki Deep Seaport Road, the reconstruction of two collapsed bridges in Enugu, the upgrading of the ongoing Abuja-Keffi-Akwanga-Lafia Road, the dualisation of the Lafia by-pass, and the reconstruction of two locations on the Onitsha-Owerri Road were also approved
“The President has a deep interest in reinstating most of our roads in the country and every paper brought in respect of that has been approved”.
“Just yesterday he approved over 260 road interventions across the 36 states and the FCT. You’ll recall that last week, he approved a lot of emergency road and bridge repairs; we have three bridges that collapsed on the South-West roads, and he approved their reconstruction immediately. We have the Shendam-Lafia that collapsed, we also have the approval for its repairs.
“We have about 17 points along the East-West Road that have been destroyed by flood, Mr President has approved and released money for the immediate repairs. Of course, the Third Mainland Bridge resurfacing and repairs of some noticeable defections, have to be done under the deck on top of the water with equipment, he has also approved that.
“Two bridges that collapsed in Enugu, approved by Mr President; the two locations on the Onitsha-Owerri Road, Mr President approved the reconstruction; Lokoja-Abuja Road, Mr President approved the reconstruction.
“I can name them, apart from the 260 emergency repairs all over the country worth about N217 billion, so I’m quite glad.
“This afternoon again, Mr President approved the upgrading of the Abuja-Keffi-Akwanga-Lafia Road. Of course, it’s ongoing, but it’s a PPP with the Chinese and we’re paying 15%. Also, the construction of the Lafia Bypass dualisation from Makurdi, through Oturkpo, through Oboloafor, down to 9th Mile, it’s a major one, but Mr President has approved it. The China EXIMBank is also financing this, Lafia-Keffi Road is also financed by Chinese EXIMBank.
“Then the of 7th AXA Road, Lekki Deep Seaport (access), in Lagos. You know the Lagos State government is building the deep seaport, meaning that all the cargoes that cannot berth at the existing ports in Lagos can now come to that location and that’s where the Dangote Refinery is located.
“I saw thousands and thousands of well-established companies that are already installing their equipment there. It’s to be a huge free trade zone. So, Mr President has approved that I should go ahead and sign the MoU and that it should be programmed for priority in our business with the Chinese,” the Minister said.
Meanwhile, President Tinubu has approved the reconstitution of the Board of the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA), to speed up road maintenance nationwide.
“Let me also announce that Mr President approved the reconstitution of the FERMA Board and this is very good for us, this is so that work can now get a bit more serious with FERMA in terms of very prompt maintenance of the roads,” Uhahi disclosed.
When asked how soon Nigerians should expect to see site mobilisation, Umahi said: “There’s a process; we’re doing the designs and procurement and selecting contractors. We’re calling some contractors that have existing projects within these locations.
“We’re getting selective renderings from the approval of BPP and these are the procedures. I’m sure with the onset of dry season from November, these works will get started and we’re going to put a lot of pressure on them for them to complete the works,” he added.
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