The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved road construction and rehabilitation projects valued at about N438 billion across the country, alongside a number of highway and trailer park concessions under public-private partnership arrangements.
The Minister of State for Works, Mr Bello Goronyo, disclosed this while briefing State House correspondents after Wednesday’s FEC meeting at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. The meeting was presided over by President Bola Tinubu.
Goronyo said the council considered about 15 memoranda submitted by various ministries, including seven from the Ministry of Works covering major road construction and rehabilitation projects as well as trailer park concessions.
Among the approvals was the reconstruction of the Ado-Ekiti-Iyin-Aramoko-Itawure-Osun border road in Ekiti State. The project was awarded to Messrs CBC Global Civil and Building Construction Nigeria Ltd. for N159.83 billion.
The council also ratified variation orders for the rehabilitation of the Abeokuta-Iboro-Ilaro Road in Ogun State. The variation, valued at N54.12 billion, involves changing the pavement design from rigid concrete to asphalt.
In Rivers State, FEC approved the reconstruction of the 15-kilometre Port Harcourt-Eleme Junction-Onne Port Junction section of the East-West Road. RCC Nigeria Ltd. was awarded the project at N74.51 billion, with a nine-month completion period.
Another approval covers Phase II of the rehabilitation of the Ado-Ekiti-Afe Babalola University Road in Ekiti. The road forms part of the Ado-Ijan-Iluomobi-Imesi-Ondo border route and is expected to cost N54.52 billion.
The council also approved the construction of the Ilara-Iselu Road, Phases II-V, in Ogun State. JRB Construction Company Ltd. was awarded the contract for N94.24 billion, with completion scheduled for 24 months.
Goronyo said the projects were intended to strengthen transportation infrastructure, improve connectivity and stimulate economic activity across the affected areas.
“Roads are the enablers of growth, and they are the ones that boost the economy of any nation,” he said.
He added that the interventions would help ease the difficulties faced by Nigerians by improving the movement of people and goods and supporting trade and other commercial activities.
On the trailer park concessions, Goronyo said the council approved public-private partnership arrangements aimed at removing heavy-duty vehicles from highways and providing truck operators with properly developed parking facilities.
“The essence of these trailer parks is to ensure that we move those trailers from our highways,” he said.
Under the concession arrangements, private investors will design, finance, construct, operate and maintain the facilities, with no direct funding from the Federal Government.
One of the projects is the development of the 7.9-kilometre Dikko-Maje section of the Suleja-Minna Road in Niger State. Graciatech Engineering Nigeria Ltd. will develop the project at N56.75 billion under a 40-year concession.
FEC also approved the operation and maintenance of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway by LIB Concession Group at a cost of N96.43 billion for a 25-year concession period.
Another approval covers the development of a greenfield trailer park at Aro-Ngwa in Abia State. Greg Jane International Ltd. will undertake the project at N19.70 billion under a 50-year concession.
Goronyo said the approvals reflected the Federal Government’s strategy of attracting private-sector capital and expertise into the development and maintenance of critical national infrastructure.
He said the projects would contribute to reducing infrastructure deficits, improving road safety and creating a more conducive environment for transportation, trade and other economic activities nationwide.
The minister commended President Tinubu for prioritising road infrastructure and advancing projects across different parts of the country. (NAN)
