*Lagos-Calabar Highway Phase 1 For Completion May 2025
THE Minister of Works, Chief David Umahi, has disclosed that it would take the Federal Government a total sum of N15trillion to execute 260 road infrastructure projects across the country, even as it has already spent over N13 trillion in ongoing road projects nationwide.
He explained that he Phase One of Lagos-Calabar Highway would be completed in May next year, noting that government had concluded the payment of compensation and construction work commenced.
Umahi, who stated this at the media briefing in Abuja, regretted that some road constructions have lasted between 11 and 15 years due to paucity of funds, explaining that President Bola Tinubu has reviewed them and offered the same to contractors, saying “no contractor will be treated differently.”
He stated: “We are prioritising road construction. For example, work on Abuja-Kaduna-Kano would soon commence. We have only certified projects worth N2trillion and henceforth, Mr. President will be the one to commission mega road projects.”
The minister explained that constituency projects of the National Assembly constituted eight per cent of the Ministry’s budget, while most of the inherited ongoing road construction would soon be completed, adding: “As of today, we have executed over 80 per cent of such projects and the accumulation of over N250billion is still outstanding.
“The permanent secretary would issue directives to Road Directors to commission most of these projects in their regions.”
Umahi said completed new projects, such as bridges, Sagamu Road and so many road networks across the country would be inaugurated after Salah holidays by directors.
“From today, mega road projects will be commissioned in every geopolitical zone. We are in a new situation and we’ll not continue to do things in the way we used to. So, we have to adopt a new policy, considering the reality on ground,” he remarked.
He emphasized that Mr. President has graciously reviewed the projects and new prices were offered to contractors based on the approval of the Federal Executive Council (FEC), stressing that government would only patronise competent contractors.
