The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved $995 million and N15.45 billion for two roads projects in the country.
The meeting was chaired by President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday.
The Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola (SAN), disclosed this when he briefed State House correspondents at the end of the meeting.
He was with the Minister of Information, Lai Mohammed, Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, and Minister of Water Resources, Suleiman Adamu.
According to Fashola, N15.45 billion was approved for 58.9 kilometer Magami – Kwajani – Ningi road connecting Bauchi and Kano states.
He also said that $995 million was approved for the second phase of Abuja – Keffi – Akwanga – Lafia – Makurdi road.
He said: “I need to stress that this is the section that comprises 16 kilometers, which is the Lagos by-pass and the section that also comprises 251.7 kilometers from Ninth Mile through Otukpo to Makurdi. A total of 268.5 kilometers for $995 million.
“The reason is that it is the Abuja -Keffi road which was awarded in 2015, for which finance is now available. So, this is the second phase for which the finance is not yet available but the award is the pre-condition to now get the loan from the China-Exim Bank, so that by the time work on the first phase finishes, we can seamlessly continue the second phase all the way to Makurdi,” he added
The Minister of Transportation, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi, disclosed that 21 million Euros was approved for the purchase of two tug boats for towage purposes in the Nigerian waters.
He said that approval was also given for dredging of water in Baro, in preparation for the Baro Port, where vessels are meant to turn, at the cost of N703 million.
Water Resources Minister, Mr. Suleiman Adamu, disclosed that the Council approved N719 million for constituency project on the Lower Benue River Basin Development.
According to him, it involves construction of 80 meter five span bridge in Karo, Nasarawa State, with completion period of two years.
He added that FEC also approved another constituency project, which is the construction of half dam and irrigation scheme in Kwarangwa in Bauchi State, at the cost of N1.36 billion.
The Minister of Information, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, said that Council has also given contractors handling the Oron-Calabar section of the East-West road a marching order to speed up completion before the rains.
“Council directed the Minister of Niger Delta to speed up re-negotiations with the contractors to ensure immediate resumption of the completion of that phase of road,” he said