The Federal Government has given the green light to a series of impressive road and bridge projects across the nation, totalling an investment of N2.38 trillion!

This exciting development comes with a promise to unveil a detailed state-by-state ledger, highlighting all projects that exceed N10 billion.

Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, made a statement after Thursday’s Federal Executive Council meeting, which was presided over by President Bola Tinubu at the Aso Rock Villa in Abuja.

Umahi outlined several significant contracts, including:

– Abuja Road Section I (118 km) at N286 billion

– Abuja Road Section II (164 km) at N502 billion

– Abuja–Kano Road (72 km) at N450 billion

– Nembe Bridge at N156 billion

– Sokoto–Badagry Corridor, Section 2 to Kebbi (228 km, three lanes) at N961 billion

He also mentioned two approved adjustments: an additional N11.42 billion to complete the Lagos–Shagamu–Ijebu-Ode–Ore project and N8.94 billion for revisions in Niger State, bringing the aggregate adjustment to N2.38 billion.

Regarding cash flow, Umahi stated that the Presidency has released N75 billion for Abuja Section I, which he described as 30% of the total N286 billion; approximately N150 billion (about 30%) for Abuja Section II; N45 billion (presented as 30%) for the Abuja–Kano Road; and N46.8 billion, representing 30% of the N156 billion allocated for the Nembe Bridge. This brings the documented releases for these four items to roughly N316.8 billion.

He added that the Abuja County application project, valued at $22 billion, has also received a 30% payment in dollars. Additionally, funds have been disbursed for all four sections of the Bauchi–Gombe project, with further Sukuk disbursements to Gombe where work has already commenced.

The minister emphasised that this program will stimulate growth by connecting states, reducing logistics costs, and increasing the GDP of the states. He referenced the Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway, stating that the first section is 85% complete and benefiting Lagos’ economy.

Umahi explained, “The Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, sections 4A and 4B, are in Ogun State and extend from where section one ended at Lekki, continuing into Ondo State. We have about 40 km in Ogun State and 40.35 km in Ondo State. The project has reached the border between Ondo and Edo States, totalling 80.53 kilometres, with six lanes. The overall contract sum is N1.65 trillion.

“The project involves excavating to an average depth of six meters, refilling with fresh water and sharp sand, and raising the existing ground level by five meters to prevent flooding, as it traverses swampy areas. These details are part of what the Federal Executive Council approved.”

Umahi also outlined new and revised approvals, including:

– The Biu–Numan road in Adamawa, extended from 45 km to 61.76 km

– Additional funding for the Lagos–Shagamu–Ijebu-Ode–Ore corridor

– Design changes in Niger (binder crossing and a new strand bridge)

– The award of Sokoto–Badagry Section 2 (to Kebbi) for N961 billion, with 120 km already completed in Sokoto.

He added, “Today, the FEC approved the review of projects in Borno and Adamawa. The Biu–Numan Road project was initially awarded in 2020 for 45 km at N15.43 billion and has now been revised to N61.76 billion, while maintaining the 45 km scope for the Biu–Numan Road in Borno and Adamawa.

“The second project approved was the Maraba KV Road, which spans 43.6 kilometres and is dualised.

“We also revisited the Sokoto–Badagry project. Previously, in August 2024, we awarded a contract for 258 km in Kebbi for one carriageway, amounting to N940.7 billion. Today, we awarded the second carriageway in Kebbi for 258 kilometres, three lanes, at N961 billion, along with an additional 120 kilometres for N456 billion in Sokoto.

Currently, we have completed 220 kilometres in Sokoto at approximately N920 billion. In Kebbi, the project covers 258 km, bringing the total for Kebbi to roughly N2 trillion. This construction has now been approved by the FEC,” Umahi explained. I

In response to the recent tragedy at the Keffi Flyover, Umahi expressed his condolences, confirmed that the Federal Government has settled with the affected families, and stated that reconstruction is underway, with the bridge currently closed to traffic.

Former Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi has criticised President Bola Tinubu’s administration, stating that many Nigerians are suffering under the current economic conditions and are unlikely to support the government in the upcoming general election.

In a video obtained by the Guardian, Fayemi spoke in Yoruba, lamenting the levels of hunger and financial hardship in the country. He pointed to deteriorating infrastructure and the federal government’s neglect of key development efforts.

“Let’s not deceive ourselves; Nigerians are not happy with the Federal Government due to hunger and a lack of money,” he stated.

Fayemi highlighted the poor condition of federal roads in Ekiti, specifically mentioning the route from Efon Alaaye through Erio and the road from Omuo Ekiti through Ilasa to Ayedun Ekiti, emphasising the struggles faced by commuters.

He also criticised the Federal Government for its refusal to refund the N18–20 billion spent by his administration on the Ado-Iyin road project, arguing that these funds could have been reinvested into other road projects if reimbursed. “The Federal Government said they didn’t send us to build the road, so no refund was made,” he added. “If they had refunded the money, wouldn’t the governor have used it to complete phase two of the road?”

Fayemi made these comments during a public event attended by the Speaker of the Ekiti State House of Assembly, Adeoye Aribasoye, and lawmaker Tope Longe.

While he acknowledged the necessity of reforms such as the removal of fuel subsidies, he criticised their abrupt implementation without sufficient measures to cushion the impact on citizens facing rising living costs and inflation. He also pointed out the alarming delays in the release of funds to federal ministries and agencies, stressing that good intentions alone are not enough for effective governance.

S: Guardian

The Federal Government has successfully secured full financing for the completion of the Aba–Maiduguri rail corridor, which is a crucial part of the 1,443-kilometer Port Harcourt Eastern Narrow Gauge Railway Project.

Minister of Transport, Senator Saidu Alkali, made the announcement on Wednesday during a government-citizen engagement forum at Arewa House in Kaduna. He stated that the project will traverse Borno, Yobe, Gombe, Bauchi, Plateau, Kaduna, Nasarawa, and Benue States, significantly boosting regional trade, passenger mobility, and economic integration across Nigeria’s eastern corridor.

“The financing for this strategic route is now secured, and we are dedicated to completing the full stretch from Aba to Maiduguri,” the minister affirmed.

Alkali also mentioned the ongoing rehabilitation of the old Lagos–Kano Narrow Gauge Railway, highlighting that freight services have resumed between Apapa Port and the Kano Inland Dry Port. This is part of the government’s efforts to decongest seaports, promote inland port operations, and support industrial logistics.

Additionally, the announcement reflects a broader initiative by the Tinubu administration to revitalize Nigeria’s aging rail infrastructure and strengthen inter-regional connectivity through modern transport systems.

Rabiu Ibrahim, Special Assistant (Media) to the Minister of Information and National Orientation, confirmed the minister’s statements.