***Dangote to reconstruct 401km under tax-credit scheme as FG clears 23 highway projects, Lagos-Ibadan maintenance plan

The Federal Executive Council (FEC) on Monday approved road infrastructure projects valued at about N2.078 trillion, clearing 23 major contracts across 10 states in one of the Federal Government’s biggest investments in highway development under the Tinubu administration.

The approvals, granted at the Council meeting presided over by President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, cover the construction, rehabilitation and maintenance of strategic highways designed to improve connectivity, facilitate trade and accelerate economic growth.

Briefing State House Correspondents after the meeting, the Minister of Works, David Umahi, said the projects span Adamawa, Taraba, Ebonyi, Kwara, Cross River, Kogi, Lagos, Niger, Oyo and Plateau states.

He said the road programme forms part of the administration’s commitment to modernising Nigeria’s transport infrastructure and opening up key economic corridors across the country.

A major component of the approvals is the reconstruction of about 400.9 kilometres of federal highways under a tax-credit arrangement to be executed by the Dangote Group at a cost of N1.8325 trillion.

Umahi explained that the project replaces an earlier contract awarded in 2022 and is expected to accelerate the delivery of critical road infrastructure through private-sector participation.

The Council also approved the Full Business Case for the operation and maintenance of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway under a modified Swiss Challenge procurement model.

According to the minister, President Tinubu directed the Ministry of Works to immediately commence procurement for the reconstruction of failed sections of the highway using concrete pavement technology to improve durability, reduce maintenance costs and enhance road safety.

FEC further ratified a presidential approval for a N15 billion augmentation of the Gashua township road contract in Yobe State, originally awarded in 2022, following significant increases in the prices of construction materials.

Council also approved N15.246 billion for Phase II of the Yola-Fufore-Gurin Road in Adamawa State after the successful completion of the first phase.

Providing an update on ongoing federal highway projects, Umahi disclosed that the first 118-kilometre section of the Abuja-Kaduna-Kano Expressway, valued at N137 billion, has been completed.

He expressed confidence that work on the remaining 164-kilometre stretch would be concluded by November, significantly improving travel and commercial activities along one of the country’s busiest transport corridors.

The minister said the latest approvals underscore the Federal Government’s determination to close Nigeria’s infrastructure deficit through sustained investment, innovative financing models and strategic partnerships with the private sector.

He added that the projects are expected to ease the movement of people and goods, reduce travel time, enhance road safety and stimulate economic activities across the beneficiary states and beyond.