Tinubu govt awards N6tn contracts for roads, others

President Bola Tinubu-led Federal Executive Council has awarded 51 contracts worth N6.27tn for procuring, constructing and developing various infrastructural projects across the federation in eight months.

The contracts, awarded between October 16, 2023, and May 14, 2024, totalling eight months, were allocated to facilitate the development of a wide array of infrastructural projects across critical sectors, encompassing the construction of roads, bridges, train systems, and airport infrastructure.It awarded 43 road projects and three airport contracts, among others.

The FEC is the highest executive body in a Federal Government system. It’s composed of senior government officials including ministers and other high-ranking cabinet members and has a constitutional role to formulate policies, execute government projects, and, more broadly, aid the President in discharging his executive functions, although the president is the ultimate executive decision-maker.

The President, in his inaugural speech on May 29 last year, promised massive development of infrastructure.He stated, “We shall continue the efforts of the Buhari administration on infrastructure. Progress toward national networks of roads, rail and ports shall get priority attention.

“At the FEC inaugural meeting last August, Tinubu charged his cabinet members to work hard and be committed to creating a buoyant economy that will serve every Nigerian.

Tinubu told FEC members including ministers to work hard, saying that the expectations of Nigerians were very high and underperformance would not be tolerated.

The President also restated his government‘s policy agenda which includes reforming the economy to deliver sustainable and inclusive growth and strengthen national security for peace and prosperity.“

You and I know that expectations are high, and these are tough times. We must work hard and move ourselves to create a buoyant economy that will serve Nigeria. We have an unacceptable employment rate, and we are facing threats from climate change.

“To turn things around, you have been selected to perform your utmost best. Our policy implementation will reform the economy, ensure inclusive growth, and strengthen security for peace and prosperity. Without security, there can be no investment,” the president said.

He also approved the conduct of the FEC weekly meeting to be held every Monday. Under the previous administration, the FEC meetings were held on Wednesdays every week.

Abuja-Lokoja route

A breakdown of the projects showed that during the FEC meeting held on May 14, the Ministry of Works secured an approval of N89bn for the reconstruction of Koton- Karfe -Abaji road (Abuja 12 bound), along the Abuja-Lokoja route in Kogi state.

The FEC also on the same date awarded a contract worth N120bn for the equalisation of Lokoja- Benin road, Okpela Section, Lokoja-Benin’ dualised Auchi section. The road will be financed by BUA Cement under the tax credit scheme.

This decision was reached during a lengthy meeting chaired by Tinubu on May 14, during which 21 significant policy initiatives were unveiled.

Section two of the Lagos-Calabar coastal highway was also awarded on the same day at a cost of N1.6tn while N546bn was apportioned for roads and bridges in Kaima- Tesse, Kwara State, Benin-Agbor, Benin Byepass and Ngaski-Wara in Kebbi State and N230bn Construction of a 37-kilometre Kano Bypass road.

On February 26, the Federal Government approved N1.067tn for the first phase of the highway’s construction. The Minister of Works, David Umahi, explained that the section, a 47.47 kilometres dual carriageway of five lanes on each side and a train track on the middle, is part of the 700-kilometre road spanning nine states and with two spurs leading up north.

The Lagos-Calabar coastal highway project, designed to stretch 700 kilometres and pass through nine states, was awarded to Hitech Construction Company Limited on an Engineering, Procurement, Construction, and Financing arrangement, where the bulk of the risk falls on the contractor.

On March 26, Umahi said FEC approved N1.495tn contracts for 29 roads and bridges across the country.

Umahi explained, “Today, the Federal Executive Council considered and approved 29 roads and bridges totalling N1.5tn. After going through the Bureau of Public Procurement, they were all approved by FEC, and we got Certification of No Objection.