The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved the construction of two major road projects that will connect different parts of the country and boost trade and transportation.
The Minister of Works, Sen. Dave Umahi, announced this on Oct. 30 after the FEC meeting at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
He said the first project is the Coastal road that will run from Lagos to Port Harcourt to Cross River, linking the Atlantic Ocean with the Gulf of Guinea.
NAN reported that the second project is the Trans-Sahara route that will run from Enugu to Ogoja, and from Badagry to Sokoto, connecting Nigeria with Cameroon and other neighboring countries.
Umahi said the projects will be financed through a model of EPC + F, which stands for Engineering, Procurement, Construction and Financing.
He explained that the model allows the contractors to source for the funds and execute the projects, while the government will repay them over a period of time.
He said the Coastal road project was awarded to Messers Julius Berger at the cost of N3.5 billion, while the Trans-Sahara route project was awarded to Messers CCPCC at the cost of N2 billion.
He said the projects will enhance the economic and social development of the regions and the country at large.
“The Coastal road will facilitate the movement of goods and services along the coast and create more opportunities for trade and tourism. The Trans-Sahara route will open up the hinterland and foster regional integration and cooperation,” he said.
He added that the FEC directed the Ministry of Finance to expedite action on its own part to ensure the smooth implementation of the projects.
On his part, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, disclosed that the FEC also approved the award of contract for the construction of access roads for the Abuja Light Rail.
He said the project will cost N5.5 billion and will be executed by Messers CCPCC.
He said the access roads will enable commuters in the communities around the airport to access the light rail stations and enjoy the benefits of the rail system.
He said President Bola Tinubu has given a directive that he wants to ride on the light rail soon and that the access roads are necessary to make that possible.
He said the FEC also approved a lot 3 of the access roads project, which covers other communities in the FCT.
He said the projects will improve the transportation and infrastructure development of the FCT and the country at large.
