•FEC approves N733b for road infrastructure projects
The Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, has refuted claims that President Bola Tinubu’s administration is prioritizing road projects in the South at the expense of the North.
Speaking to journalists on Monday after the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, he emphasized that road project approvals are determined by submitted proposals, not regional considerations.
“The President is committed to completing all inherited projects. Most of the projects we announce here were started by previous administrations, and President Tinubu is determined to see them through,” Umahi stated.
His remarks were in response to concerns raised in the Senate, where a motion suggested that the South was receiving a disproportionate share of road projects.
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“Let me correct that impression. The fact remains that the FEC approves projects based on memos presented, not on regional favoritism,” Umahi explained.
He acknowledged that some approvals might appear to favor certain regions at particular times but insisted that this was not a deliberate policy.
“Sometimes, a memo might be in favor of a specific region, but that doesn’t mean allocations are being skewed,” he added.
To illustrate his point, Umahi noted that during Monday’s FEC meeting, N507 billion was allocated for the Abuja-Kano Road Section Two, while only N24 billion was approved for a project in his home region, the Southeast.
“If tomorrow, a major project is approved for the Southeast, nobody should claim it is unfair,” he said.
Umahi also pointed out that many of the projects inherited from previous administrations were not equitably distributed, yet President Tinubu remained committed to their completion.
“If you review the inherited projects, they were not evenly allocated across regions. But the President has chosen to complete them rather than abandon them,” he added.
He reiterated that the Tinubu administration prioritizes national development over regional politics, ensuring that infrastructure projects are executed based on necessity and existing commitments.
Meanwhile, the FEC has approved road infrastructure projects worth N733 billion across different regions of Nigeria, reinforcing President Tinubu’s commitment to improving the country’s road network.
Among the major approvals: Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano Road Section Two (164 km): N507 billion awarded to InfoWest Nigeria Limited, the contractor handling Sections One and Three.
Abakpa Flyover, Enugu State (near 82 Division Army Barracks): N24 billion contract awarded to CCECC to ease traffic congestion.
Dualization of Odukpani-Itu-Ikot Ekpene Road (Cross River-Akwa Ibom corridor): N55 billion, awarded to Decon Construction Nigeria Limited.
The project, inherited from the previous administration, was originally divided into three sections. However, a dispute over cost led to the termination of Julius Berger’s section, which was later re-awarded at a significantly lower cost.
“When we reviewed the project, CCECC and Samatech accepted the cost adjustment, but Julius Berger insisted on an increase to over N100 billion. This led to the termination and re-procurement of the contract at N55 billion, compared to the N190 billion they initially demanded,” Umahi explained.
Dualization of Ibadan-Ilorin Road Section Two (Oyo State): N147 billion awarded to GRVe, using reinforced concrete pavement for durability.
Umahi emphasized that the administration’s shift to concrete roads aligns with its strategy for long-lasting infrastructure.
“These projects are designed to improve connectivity and economic activity across regions, ensuring that development is evenly spread across the country,” he concluded.
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