By Johnbosco Agbakwuru
On Wednesday, the Federal Executive Council (FEC) sanctioned ₦740 billion for the Berger section of the Abuja-Kano road as part of a series of significant infrastructure initiatives.Minister of Works, Senator Dave Umahi, shared this information during a press briefing with State House reporters after a Cabinet meeting led by President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.Umahi emphasized that the government is tackling a substantial backlog of infrastructure projects, which includes both essential repairs and new constructions. He mentioned that the Shagamu-Benin road is currently undergoing vital rehabilitation, with plans for a complete reconstruction utilizing reinforced concrete pavement.Concerning the Abuja-Kano road, Senator Umahi noted that the 162-kilometer Berger section, initially proposed for financing through a tax credit arrangement, will now receive direct funding following the approval of ₦740 billion.In addition to this, the council is preparing to launch the Sokoto section of the Sokoto-Badagry road, resume work on the long-dormant Oyo-Ogbomosho road, and carry out significant repairs on the Makurdi-Katsina-Ala road.The Minister also highlighted that FEC reviewed an inherited debt of ₦1.6 trillion associated with 2,604 projects, amounting to a total contract value of ₦13 trillion. To address this, the Ministry of Works has implemented a phased project completion strategy aligned with available funding. Furthermore, the council approved advanced payment mechanisms to mitigate the impacts of inflation, fluctuating exchange rates, and rising fuel prices.
