FEC approves N493bn for Kano-Katsina road upgrade, new Carter bridge

The Federal Executive Council (FEC) on Wednesday approved a total of N493 billion for two major infrastructure projects, the upgrade of the Kano-Katsina Road and the construction of a new Carter Bridge in Lagos.

The Council, presided over by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, also approved the sum of N142,028,576,008.17 for the construction of modern bus terminals in each of Nigeria’s six geo-political zones
of the country.

Minister of Works, David Umahi, announced the approvals for the road infrastructure projects after the Council meeting, disclosing that prevailing economic conditions had driven significant cost revisions for the 152-kilometre Kano-Katsina Road, which had been split into two sections by the previous administration.

Section One, covering 74.1km, was first awarded in 2013 at N14 billion, later revised to N24 billion, and is now pegged at N68 billion.

Section Two, spanning 79.5km, awarded in 2019 for N29 billion and later increased to N46 billion, has now risen to N66.115 billion.

The total cost for both sections stands at roughly N134 billion, with N6 billion and N34 billion earmarked for Section One in the 2024 and 2025 budgets, while Section Two will receive N80 billion over the same period.

On the Carter Bridge, Umahi cited underwater assessments from 2013 and 2019, which revealed extensive damage to the substructure from illegal sand mining, erosion, and corrosion. Julius Berger, the contractor handling structural repairs, advised a complete replacement.

“The cost of a new Carter Bridge is estimated at N359 billion, and discussions have begun with Deutsche Bank on possible funding,” Umahi said.

Similar structural defects were discovered on the 3rd Mainland Bridge, with rehabilitation estimated at N3.8 trillion and full replacement at N3.6 trillion.

FEC approved the engagement of at least seven specialist contractors under an EPC+F (Engineering, Procurement, Construction, and Financing) model to conduct further investigations, designs, and bidding for both rehabilitation and new-build options for the Carter and 3rd Mainland Bridges. Public-private partnership (PPP) bids will also be advertised.

Other bridge interventions approved by Council include works on the Jalingo Bridge in Taraba State, the fire-damaged Ido Bridge, Keffi Flyover in Nasarawa, Mokwa Bridge in Niger, a collapsed bridge on the Abuja-Kogi road, several Lagos-Ibadan corridor bridges hit by vehicles, Jebba Bridge in Kwara, and the Itokin-Ikorodu Bridge in Lagos.

“These emergency works will be documented and forwarded to the President for approval through the Minister of Finance,” Umahi said.

Meanwhile, the Federal Executive Council has approved the sum of N142,028,576,008.17 for the construction of modern bus terminals in each of Nigeria’s six geo-political zones
of the country.

Minister of Transportation, Senator Sa’idu Ahmed Alkali, made this known after the FEC meeting, saying the contract has been awarded to Messrs Planet Project Limited.

The terminals, the Minister said, will be sited in Abeokuta (South-West), Gombe (North-East), Kano (North-West), Lokoja (North-Central), Onitsha (South-East), and Ewu in Edo State (South-South).

Senator Alkali described the project as the Federal Government’s first direct intervention in road transport infrastructure beyond road construction, noting that the locations were selected for their economic viability.

He said the absence of purpose-built bus terminals to serve millions of Nigerian commuters had contributed to increased crime, road traffic accidents, and the proliferation of arms and ammunition along the country’s highways.

“In spite of the significance of road transportation in Nigeria, there are no bus terminals that address the needs of millions of commuters. This has resulted in increased crime, road traffic accidents, and the spread of arms on our highways”, Alkali said.

The minister explained that the initiative, conceived by the Ministry of Transportation, is aimed at improving road safety, enhancing passenger comfort, and stimulating economic activities.

He added that the proposal was brought before President Tinubu and the Council for approval after a thorough assessment of its potential impact on national transportation and security.

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