The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved N493 billion for two major infrastructure projects which are the upgrade of the 152 kilometre Kano Katsina Road and the construction of a new Carter Bridge in Lagos State.
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The Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, disclosed this while briefing journalists after the FEC meeting chaired by President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
According to Umahi, the Kano-Katsina Road will be completed in two sections. The first section, spanning 74.1 kilometres, was initially awarded in 2013 for N14 billion, later revised to N24 billion, and is now valued at N68 billion. The second section, measuring 79.5 kilometres, was awarded in 2019 for N29 billion, revised to N46 billion, and is now pegged at N66.115 billion.
The total cost for both sections stands at about N134 billion, with N6 billion and N34 billion allocated for Section One in 2024 and 2025, while Section Two will receive N80 billion within the same period.
On the new Carter Bridge project, Umahi explained that inspections in 2013 and 2019 revealed severe structural damage caused by illegal sand mining, erosion, and corrosion. Construction giant Julius Berger has recommended a complete replacement, estimated at N359 billion. Funding discussions are ongoing with Deutsche Bank.
The minister noted that similar deterioration was found on the 3rd Mainland Bridge, with rehabilitation expected to cost N3.8 trillion or a complete rebuild at N3.6 trillion.
FEC also approved the engagement of at least seven specialist contractors for work on the Carter and 3rd Mainland Bridges under an EPC+F arrangement, alongside public-private partnership bids for the projects.
Emergency repairs were also sanctioned for other bridges, including Jalingo Bridge, Ido Bridge, and Keffi Flyover.
