FG set to commission 15 road projects across six geo-political zones

The Federal Government has announced plans to commission no fewer than 15 roads and bridge projects and repairs embarked upon by th3 President Bola Tinubu-led administration across the country.

Speaking at a press briefing on Tuesday, the Minister of Works, David Umahi, said the projects, which spread across the six geopolitical zones, represent high-value and strategic infrastructure investments aimed at transforming transportation, improving connectivity and boosting economic growth nationwide.

In the North-West, Umahi disclosed that a 30-kilometre section of the Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano road project in Kano, valued at N39 billion, has been completed and is ready for commissioning. He also announced the completion of another section of the Abuja-Kaduna Super Highway, covering about 81 kilometres of reinforced concrete pavement at a cost of N252 billion.

He described the project as one of the administration’s signature infrastructure achievements.

“We are very proud of what the President has achieved. I want you to go there at night. The quality of Lagos-Calabar is the same as the quality of Sokoto-Badagry, we are very proud,” Umahi said.

The Minister further noted that the administration exceeded its construction timeline target on some of the projects.

“We gave 40 months, we beat it to 30 months. We’re happy this happened and we thank the President very highly because he made it a number one priority project even over and above all the legacy projects,” he stated.

Umahi further revealed that the Kaduna-Pambegua Road, spanning 77 kilometres and valued at N33 billion, has also been completed and is awaiting commissioning.

In the South-West, the Minister said the first section of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, being handled by HighTech Construction Company at a cost of N1.23 trillion, is fully completed and ready for inauguration.

He also announced the completion of a 24-kilometre section of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, fitted with solar-powered streetlights and modern median barriers, valued at N57 billion.

Umahi further listed completed bridge projects in Lagos, including underwater deck rehabilitation works on the Third Mainland Bridge and Carter Bridge, valued at N25 billion and N24.89 billion respectively.

He added that repair works on Marine Bridge and its access ramps, covering 2.15 kilometres and executed by Build Well Construction, have also been completed at a cost of N22 billion.

In his words, “The first section of Lagos Calabar Coastal Highway fully done ready for commissioning. Then you have a section of Lagos-Ibadan. A section of it is about 24 km. That’s another beauty that you can behold. It is done and with solar light and that’s about 57 billion. Fully done, ready for commissioning. Then of course you have the two projects of under-deck elements Third Mainland Bridge by Julius Begger 25 billion and then in Carter Bridge N24.89 billion ready for commissioning.”

The Minister said additional deck rehabilitation and extension works from the Third Mainland Bridge corridor to Falomo and Bonny Camp, handled by CCECC, have equally been completed.

In the South-South region, Umahi announced the completion of the Bodo-Bonny Road project in Rivers State, spanning 37.9 kilometres.

“For the first time under President Bola Tinubu, a vehicle will take off from the mainland and go to Bonny Island,” the Minister remarked.

He added that residents of the area were enthusiastic about the project, saying people are very happy and they are in fact dusting their PVC to vote for the president.

Also completed in the region, according to the minister, is the Port Harcourt-Aba Road dual carriageway project, covering 43 kilometres and valued at N83 billion.

In the South-East, Umahi said a 33-kilometre section of the Enugu-Onitsha Expressway, executed by SCC, has been completed at a cost of N66 billion.

He also disclosed that the Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway project, handled by Arab Contractors and covering about 56.1 kilometres, has been completed at a cost of N65 billion and is ready for commissioning.

Another completed project in the zone, he said, is the 23-span Eke Obinagu Bridge in Enugu State, valued at N24 billion.

In the North-East, the Minister announced the completion of the 38-kilometre Bauchi-Gombe Road as well as the Azare section of the Kano-Jigawa-Bauchi Road project, covering 37 kilometres with relief culverts.

Meanwhile, Umahi said the Tinubu administration inherited badly deteriorated road infrastructure but has adopted reinforced concrete technology to ensure durability and reduce maintenance costs.

“We inherited a very serious situation in terms of roads and bridges. One of the reasons is poor pavement design and construction. That is why President Bola Tinubu is using reinforced concrete so that any road done will remain maintenance-free for between 50 and 100 years,” he said.

The Minister further commended the President for prioritising infrastructure development, hailing him as a president of infrastructure.