A day after Peter Obi called out the federal government on the deplorable states of road accross the country, the Tinubu led administration has announced the approval of 27 road projects valued at over N3.9 trillion across 15 states, in what was described as the government’s drive towards improving road infrastructure nationwide.
Obi, the main opposition NDC Presidential candidate and former Anambra State governor, had in a statement accused the Tinubu’s administration of doing so badly in the area of road maintenance, noting that the persistent traffic congestion arising from poor states of road accross the country has negatively impacted on businesses and has added to hardships witness in the country.
“Despite its significance, substantial sections of this road are in a lamentable condition. It has become a major impediment, precipitating persistent traffic congestion and inflicting undue hardship on travellers, businesses, and transport operators,” he stated.
Obi added that the situation on the Asaba–Benin Road reflects the poor state of many of Nigeria’s busiest highways, arguing that the government should focus on restoring existing infrastructure before initiating new projects.
“Our efforts should be directed towards the reconstruction and maintenance of our current road infrastructure before we announce plans for new road projects. The Nigerian populace requires functional and motorable roads, not merely projects that garner public attention.” He stated.
Reacting to Obi’s criticism, David Umahi, Nigeria’s Minister of Works, disclosed on Monday after the Federal Executive Council meeting held at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, that Tinubu has approved road projects span Adamawa, Benue, Cross River, Ebonyi, Ekiti, Kogi, Kwara, Lagos, Niger, Ondo, Osun, Oyo, Plateau, Taraba and Yobe states.
Umahi said the council approved the re-award of the 409-kilometre dual carriageway project in Niger State under the tax credit scheme to businessman Aliko Dangote at a cost of N1.8 trillion.
“Other major approvals include N276 billion for the dualisation of the Ilorin-Ogbomoso Road; N265 billion for the reconstruction of the Iseyin-Eruwa-Agbesi Road linking Oyo and Kwara states; N217 billion for the dualisation of the old alignment from Ijaye through the Federal Government College to Ilorin Road with a spur to Akinmorin; and N116 billion for the 21-kilometre Abakaliki-Afikpo Road in Ebonyi State.
“The council also approved N110 billion for the Ogbomoso-Oko-Illupu Road in Oyo and Osun states; N104 billion for the rehabilitation of Sections One and Two of the Ilorin-Omorin-Ebe-Kabba-Obajana Road in Kwara and Kogi states; N98 billion for the construction of the 30-kilometre Idi-Araba-Ayede-Olodo Road in Oyo State; and N92 billion for the rehabilitation of the Baban-Lamba-Sharan Phase Two Road in Plateau State,” he said.
The minister stated that other approvals include N86 billion each for the reconstruction of the Enugu-Abakaliki Road with a flyover and the Adikpo-Ajayi-Tese-Akpa-Otukpo Road traversing Benue and Cross River states.
“Projects approved by the council further include N83 billion for the Jimeta-Mayo Belwa Road in Adamawa State; N82 billion for the rehabilitation of Igbeti Road in Oyo State; N74 billion for the construction of the Igbeti-Soro-Kishi Road in Oyo State; N71 billion for the 52-kilometre Dabban-Makina Road in Niger State; and N62.99 billion for the Tungo-Karamti Road with five bridges connecting Adamawa and Taraba states.
“The council also approved N58 billion for the rehabilitation of the Yola-Hong-Mubi Road Phase Two; N46 billion for the Amasiri-Okporojo Road; N34 billion for the 18-kilometre Ikere-Ekiti-Ijare Road linking Ekiti and Ondo states; N26 billion for a new flyover on the ongoing Trans-Sahara Road; N24.7 billion for the rehabilitation of the Kabba-Ifaki-Ado Ekiti Road linking Kogi and Ekiti states; and N21 billion for the construction of a flyover at Oko-Olowo Junction in Kwara State.
“Additional approvals include N15.7 billion for the construction of the Pacific Road linking Igbe Laara to Ikorodu in Lagos State; N15.5 billion for the 13-kilometre Badeku-Jaiye Road in Oyo State; N15.246 billion for Phase Two of the Yola-Fufore-Gurin Road project in Adamawa State, covering an additional 20 kilometres after the completion of the first 17-kilometre phase; and N15 billion as augmentation for the 32.2-kilometre Gashua Road project in Yobe State, which was originally awarded in 2022,” he stated.
Umahi also said the council approved the full business case for the operation and maintenance concession of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway and directed the commencement of reconstruction of failed sections along the Ibadan axis using concrete pavement.
The minister further announced that the first 118-kilometre section of the Abuja-Kaduna-Kano Highway, valued at N137 billion, has been completed.
“The first 118 kilometres of the Abuja-Kaduna-Kano Highway, valued at N137 billion, has been completed,” Umahi said.
