The Federal Government has announced that it has released 30% funding for key multibillion-naira road and bridge projects, including the Abuja–Kano highway, Enugu–Onitsha expressway, Nembe–Brass Road, Lagos–Sagamu–Ore highway, Bodo–Bonny Road, Ibadan–Ife–Ilesha dual carriageway and the Ilesha–Akure–Benin corridor.
Minister of Works David Umahi disclosed this after the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting on Thursday in Abuja.
He explained that for the Abuja–Kano highway, Lot 1 spans 118 kilometres at a cost of N256 billion, with N75 billion already released and more than 30% of the work completed. Lot 2 covers 164 kilometres at a cost of N502 billion, with N150 billion released to the contractor.
The 72-kilometre Enugu–Onitsha expressway, valued at N150 billion, has also received a 30% payment of N45 billion, while the N156 billion Nembe–Brass Road is also progressing with an initial release.
“Let me announce so that you also be able to track what you are doing that the Abuja-Kano Road, there are two lots. The first lot is 118 kilometer, N256 billion. N75 billion was already paid by Mr. President, 30% and work is going on. We’ve done over 30% of that session 1. Session 2 is 164 kilometers, that is N502 billion, and Mr. President I just released 30% which is about you know N150 billion that we hit the account of the contractor in the next two days,” Umahi stated.
He added, “Also, Mr. President you know released also 30% of the Enugu-Onitsha route, which is 72 kilometers, that’s N150 billion so N45 billion is being released you know to the contractor.”
Other projects that have received funding include the Lagos–Sagamu–Ore highway; the Ibadan–Ife–Ilesha dual carriageway; and the Ilesha–Akure–Benin corridor, which spans several states in the South-West.
Umahi added that a comprehensive list of federal road and bridge projects valued above N10 billion would be published next week.