The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved projects worth over N4.2 trillion, including 25 road projects across 10 states and the procurement of specialised vessels to strengthen Nigeria’s maritime sector.
The approvals were granted during Monday’s FEC meeting chaired by President Bola Tinubu at the State House, Abuja.
Briefing journalists after the meeting, the Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, disclosed that the council approved N3.94 trillion for road construction, rehabilitation, dualisation and concession projects, alongside N286 billion for the acquisition of pollution control, pilot-transfer and firefighting vessels.
Among the major approvals was the reconstruction of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, following concerns over the deteriorating condition of parts of the completed road.
“Mr President directed that we should use due process to procure the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, which is to be done using concrete technology,” Umahi said.
The minister also announced the approval of the 400.9-kilometre Mokwa–Tegina–Bida–Lambata Road in Niger State, awarded to the Dangote Group under the tax credit scheme at a cost of N1.832 trillion.
According to Umahi, the project was reassigned after the previous contractor failed to deliver, with the road becoming notorious for fatal accidents.
FEC also approved 23 additional road projects across Adamawa, Taraba, Ebonyi, Kwara, Cross River, Kogi, Lagos, Niger, Oyo and Plateau states, valued at about N2.078 trillion.
Other approvals include the dualisation of the Ilorin-Ogbomosho Road, reconstruction of the Abakaliki-Afikpo Road, rehabilitation of the Ilorin-Omuaran-Egbe-Obajana Road, and several other major highways across the country.
Speaking on behalf of the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, the Minister of Environment, Balarabe Lawal, announced that FEC also approved N286 billion for the procurement of specialised maritime vessels.
The package includes anti-pollution boats, pilot-transfer boats, firefighting vessels, and dredging works on the Escravos-Warri waterway to improve maritime safety, environmental protection and port operations.
Lawal said the anti-pollution vessels would help tackle increasing plastic and industrial pollution affecting Nigeria’s waterways and enhance safe navigation.
The approvals form part of the Federal Government’s ongoing efforts to improve transportation infrastructure, boost maritime operations and stimulate economic growth.
