President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved N217 billion in funding for the repair and upkeep of over 260 federal roads across all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Senator David Umahi, Minister of Works, made the statement on Thursday while addressing State House media after meeting with President Tinubu at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
Umahi further said that President Tinubu has approved more road-building projects, including project enhancements, to demonstrate his keen commitment to reopening the majority of the country’s roadways.
He also stated that the President has given his approval for the resurfacing of the Third Mainland Bridge, the building of the Lekki deep seaport road in Lagos, and the restoration of two fallen bridges in Enugu.
He said: “I’ve always commended Mr President for his deep interest in reinstating most of our roads in the country. Every day we get a lot of concerns from the public on the very deplorable situation of our roads, but there is no paper I brought in respect of that that Mr President has not 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 Southwest roads, and he approved for 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’s resurfacing and repairs of some noticeable deflections, 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 that are worth about N217 billion, so I’m quite glad.”
Umahi further stated that the President has authorized the rehabilitation of two places on the Onitsha-Owerri route, as well as the upgrade of the current Abuja-Keffi-Akwanga-Lafia route and the dualization of the Lafia by-pass.
“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 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. This is also being financed by the China EXIMBank, 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.”
