Amanze Chinonye
President Tinubu has approved the execution of six major road projects across Nigeria, including plans to demolish the aging Carter Bridge and replace it with a newly designed structure, Prime Business Africa reports.
Minister of Works, David Umahi, disclosed the approvals while outlining the scope and costs of the projects, which cut across several states and are expected to strengthen transport connectivity nationwide.
Among the projects is the completion of the Suleja–Minna Road, initially awarded to Salini Construction Company but later terminated due to poor performance. Umahi said only about 10 kilometres of the dual carriageway were completed before the contract was cancelled.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelAccording to him, the Federal Government has now resolved to complete the remaining 71 kilometres. One carriageway has been awarded to China Geo-Engineering Corporation at a cost of ₦91 billion, while approval has also been secured from the Bureau of Public Procurement for the second carriageway.
The government has also approved the design and costing of a new Carter Bridge project in Lagos at ₦5.6 billion. Umahi said engineering assessments and consultations with stakeholders showed that the existing bridge structure can no longer be effectively rehabilitated.
He explained that the bridge would therefore be demolished and replaced, adding that Advanced Engineering Consultants has been engaged to carry out the detailed design and cost evaluation ahead of the procurement stage for the new bridge.
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In northern Nigeria, the Federal Government approved the review and rescoping of the 132-kilometre Kano–Kongolam Road, a tax credit project first awarded in 2022. The highway connects Kano, Jigawa and Katsina states.
Umahi said the road, which was originally planned as an asphalt pavement, has now been redesigned as a three-lane concrete carriageway. The revised plan also incorporates solar-powered streetlights and closed-circuit television (CCTV) systems aimed at improving security along the corridor. The project is now estimated at ₦334 billion.
The council also approved the reconstruction of the Abuja–Lokoja Road following the termination of contracts earlier awarded to two contractors over unsatisfactory performance.
The affected 86-kilometre stretch will now be rebuilt using reinforced concrete and handled by five contractors, including Julius Berger, which is already executing other segments along the route. The reconstruction is estimated to cost ₦146 billion.
Another major approval is the reconstruction of the Ibadan–Ife–Ilesa Road, a 103-kilometre dual carriageway valued at ₦427 billion. Umahi said the project was awarded during the previous administration but recorded minimal progress before it was reviewed and re-awarded by the current government.
The Federal Government also approved Phase Two of the Keffi–Nasarawa–Abaji Road rehabilitation project, covering 129.3 kilometres and costing about ₦203 billion. The road is expected to improve connectivity between Nasarawa State and the Federal Capital Territory.
Umahi further disclosed that the administration of President Tinubu plans to commission at least four major road projects in each of the country’s six geopolitical zones by May 15, as part of efforts to accelerate infrastructure delivery nationwide.
Amanze Chinonye is a Staff Correspondent at Prime Business Africa, a rising star in the literary world, weaving captivating stories that transport readers to the vibrant landscapes of Nigeria and the rest of Africa. With a unique voice that blends with the newspaper's tradition and style, Chinonye's writing is a masterful exploration of the human condition, delving into themes of identity, culture, and social justice. Through her words, Chinonye paints vivid portraits of everyday African life, from the bustling markets of Nigeria's Lagos to the quiet villages of South Africa's countryside . With a keen eye for detail and a deep understanding of the complexities of Nigerian society, Chinonye's writing is both a testament to the country's rich cultural heritage and a powerful call to action for a brighter future. As a writer, Chinonye is a true storyteller, using her dexterity to educate, inspire, and uplift readers around the world.
