FG Approves N130 bn For Roads, Water Projects

Lagos/Abeokuta Expressway: Nigerians Call For FG’s Intervention

By Tosin Olatokunbo

The Minister of Works, Babatunde Raji Fashola said the President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration was committed to improving road transport infrastructure in Nigeria, under the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan, ERGP.

The minister disclosed this on Wednesday after the Federal Executive Council Meeting, FEC which approved over N115 billion for road construction across the country.

The Council also approved over N13 billion for the completion of water projects in the country.

The Minister of Water Resources, Suleiman Adamu, said the Council approved the  revised estimated total cost for the completion of Zungeru-Wushishi Water Supply Project in Niger State in favour of Messr R Services, Zilon Construction Services Joint Venture  in the sum of N5.021 billion.

The water project was earlier awarded for N1.93 billion.

Speaking on the approval for roads Fashola stated that “The Ministry of Works presented two memoranda for consideration and award of three roads, all of which Council graciously approved.

They are the award of the Jebi-Lamba-Bele Road in Adamawa State for N26.829 billion. The Achingali-Udobi-Udona-Umuwana-Ubakala Road, including the bridge, across the Imo River in Imo State for the sum of N11.540 billion. The Jarmai-Bashar-Zuruk-Karim Lamido Road, linking Plateau and Taraba states, in the sum of N77.279 billion.”

The minister of works said the road projects will improve transportation in the country.

He said”For example, the road that links Plateau and Taraba states, when completed along with the Ibi Bridge, will reduce the journey time from Abuja to Jalingo in Taraba from about 12 hours to about eight hours.

It will be a significant reduction in journey time, and also the other roads will be equally beneficial in bringing down cost of goods, cost of transportation and cost of doing business,” he said.’

Meanwhile, Nigerians have called on the federal government to fix the Lagos/Abeokuta expressway.

The road has become impassable for motorists because of large potholes scattered on the long stretch of the highway.