The Federal Executive Council (FEC) on Monday revisited and approved 13 road projects across various states, with a combined worth of approximately N1.455 trillion. These projects had previously been put on hold during the July 10 meeting due to funding constraints.
Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, provided details during a press briefing following the Monday FEC meeting, which was presided over by President Bola Tinubu at the State House in Abuja. Umahi noted that while some projects were again deferred, the council did approve a significant number of them.
Among the approved projects at the FEC meeting is the rehabilitation of the Abeokuta-Iboro-Ilaro Road in Ogun State. This contract, valued at N57 billion, has been awarded to Strabic Construction. Another notable project is the Mubi to Maiduguri Road (Section Three), with a contract sum of N89 billion. This project, handled by MESSRS Decency Associates Limited, falls under the NNPC’s purview. Similarly, Section Two of the Mubi to Maiduguri Road, which required re-procurement on a rigid pavement due to its poor condition, has been approved for a contract sum of N67 billion, an amount inherited from the previous administration.
Other significant approvals include the Benin-Akure-Ilesha Road, a 300km dual carriageway with concrete pavement. This project, awarded to HiTech Construction, carries a contract value of N525 billion. Additionally, a 66km section of the Benin-Akure road, also to be dualized by HiTech Construction, was approved for N286 billion. In Imo State, the Angingali-Udobi-Udona-Umo-Uwana-Ubalaka road project, initially contracted for N14 billion, saw its cost revised to N26.46 billion under the NNPCL’s management.
Umahi further highlighted the rehabilitation of the Aba-Owerri Road, including the NNPC depot expressway in Abia State. This project, awarded to Rudo Nigeria Limited, has been reviewed to a sum of N21 billion. In Cross Rivers State, the Odukpani-Itu-Ikot-Ekpene road project, managed by CCECC, saw its cost increase from N50 billion to N79 billion due to challenging terrain, necessitating the use of reinforced concrete pavement for both carriageways.
The rehabilitation of the Enugu-Port Harcourt road, another project managed by CCECC, was revised from N63 billion to N83 billion. This project commenced about four years ago and is progressing from the Port Harcourt axis towards Aba. Other projects include the Igomu bridge rehabilitation by Buildwell Nigeria Limited for N19.87 billion and the last section of the Ikot-Ekpene road from Akwa Ibom, revised from N54 billion to N90 billion, to be executed in reinforced concrete by Julius Berger.
Additionally, the Ore-Ondo-Akure Road, a special intervention project due to flooding issues, was approved for a 24-month period with a contract sum of N134 billion in favor of CBC Nigeria Limited. The Ofin-Oreta Road in Ikorodu, Lagos State, was approved for N27.9 billion, with a construction period of 18 months awarded to GRB.
However, some projects were deferred for review at the next FEC meeting, including the Ojo-Odum-Okuku Road in Benue State and the Umuahia-Aba road project by Arab Contractors, which is 85% complete.
In addition to these infrastructure projects, the Council approved the procurement of 7,887 dialysis consumables to enhance healthcare for Nigerians with kidney diseases. Minister of Health and Coordinating Minister for Social Work, Ali Pate, announced this approval, emphasizing the need to address the increasing prevalence of non-communicable diseases such as hypertension and diabetes. These consumables will be distributed to seven federal tertiary hospitals, including the University of Benin Teaching Hospital and the National Hospital in Abuja.
Pate highlighted the dual approach of prevention and treatment in managing kidney disease, announcing plans for public health screenings and lifestyle modifications aimed at reducing future cases. He noted that this initiative is part of broader efforts to lower healthcare costs and increase access to essential services for Nigerians.
The purchase of dialysis consumables represents a significant step toward making treatment more affordable for those suffering from chronic diseases. Pate underscored the importance of prevention, stating that efforts to screen for hypertension and diabetes, coupled with lifestyle changes, aim to reduce the number of people requiring dialysis in the future. This initiative, he added, is designed to provide much-needed relief to many Nigerian families.