The Federal Executive Council (FEC) on Wednesday approved 13 contracts for the Ministry of Works, totaling N679 billion, to facilitate road rehabilitation and new construction projects across several states.

The Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, said the approvals include rescoping, variation, and fresh contracts aimed at ensuring infrastructure development aligns with available funds.

Addressing newsmen after the FEC meeting, Umahi outlined the details of the contracts, emphasizing the need to prioritize existing projects.

Among the approvals is the Aakalari-Ukuk Road in Bauchi State, which, he said, received a phased completion approach, with Phase One set for six months at N11.278 billion.

Similarly, the Uturu-Isikwato-Akara Road in Abia State will undergo a phased execution, with Phase One estimated at N5.926 billion for completion in six months.

A major new project involves the construction of a road from Zaria through Ukui to Kolomani, Dan Bali, Maraba, Kanya, Subawa, and Kasa in Kaduna and Katsina States.

The contract, valued at N198 billion, has been awarded to MotherCat Nigeria Limited for a 36-month construction period.

Another notable award is the rehabilitation of the Kano-Maiduguri Road, specifically a section previously terminated from Dantata Sawo.

The contract, now reassigned to Tractor Nigeria Limited, will run for 18 months at a cost of N128.395 billion.

In Kebbi State, the 57-kilometer Bagudu Road project was approved for N2.645 billion, ensuring ongoing works are protected from damage.

Similarly, the Obanewi-Arisizogu-Okiwe Road in Imo and Anambra States will see a six-month rescoping at a cost of N8.45 billion for Phase One.

A correction was made regarding the Iyin-Ilawi-Ekiti Road project, initially approved for N13.736 billion.

Upon discovering an error in the earlier presentation, the Ministry sought FEC’s approval for the correct amount of N15.626 billion, which was granted, Umahi said.

According to him, additional contracts include Ilogu Road in Kwara/Osun States – N7.556 billion for Phase One (six-month duration); Wukari-Akwana Road in Taraba State – N12.615 billion (12-month duration); Bida-Lapaya-Lambda Road in Niger State – N39.493 billion for Phase One (six-month duration); Gada-Zamazuru-Gamji Road in Kebbi State – N11.976 billion (six-month duration); Kamakish Road in Oyo State – N12.35 billion (12-month duration).

Umahi stressed that the Council directed the Ministry to prioritise inherited projects, ensuring funds are utilised effectively.

He highlighted the importance of protecting existing infrastructure, particularly roads with binder courses that could be damaged by rainfall.

Additionally, the cabinet approved an adjustment in the Outer Marina Shore Protection Project in Lagos, which initially excluded certain federal institutions.

The contract sum has now increased from N144 billion to N176 billion to cover additional shoreline protection for the Nigerian Navy and other federal infrastructure in the area.

Umahi also revealed an update on the Charm-Numan Road and Bridge project, which, he said, was severely impacted by flooding in October 2024. The revised contract was approved, ensuring the bridge’s completion.

Finally, the Aba-Ikot Ekpene Road dualisation is set to progress in phases, with the first phase awarded N30 billion to CGC Nigeria Limited.

The Minister reaffirmed the federal government’s commitment to infrastructure development, noting that all projects are being executed within budgetary allocations to ensure timely completion.

“And let me say that the directive of the Federal Executive Council is to ensure that all the inherited projects, we have to stick to, rescope the projects, and then prioritize them based on available funds. So what we had to do is to now say, ‘Okay, this is one.’”

“This fund is available, and we use the available fund to protect the already completed work, you know, improve this. Like in some cases, we have a lot of binder courses that are done.

“And if you allow it and rain is falling on it, it is going to be destroyed. So, our focus will be that this amount in the budget needs to be used to put wearing courses to protect the pavement.”