Federal Government approves N86.5bn for roads rehabilitation in Lagos, Rivers

*The Federal Executive Council has approved N7.2 billion for emergency repairs on 32 Federal roads in Lagos State as well as N79.3 billion as variation for Bodo-Bonny Road in Rivers State of Nigeria

Emmanuel Akosile | ConsumerConnect

In a move to effect emergency repairs of about 32 routes of federal roads in the regions, the Federal Government has approved N86.5billion for Lagos and Rivers States.

Mr. Babatunde Fashola, Honourable Minister of Works and Housing, disclosed this Wednesday, July 7 after the Federal Council (FEC) meeting, presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, FCT.

The Minister noted that he presented three memos to the Council, with two on approvals and one as a report on the meeting of the National Council on Lands, Housing and Urban Development, held in Jos, Plateau State.

Fashola stated: “The other two which are memoranda for approval, were to ratify the emergency repairs of about 32 routes of Federal roads in Lagos State emergency repairs carried out between 2017 and 2019.

“We were seeking Council’s ratification for 32 routes, such as Iganmu-Ijora-Isolo, Herbert Macaulay Road, Jibowu-UNILAG Road, old Abeokuta-Egba, Mushin, Falomo, and so on.

“It was for 7.28 2 billion Naira and the Council approved the emergency procurement which had been done between 2017 and 2019.”

According to the Minister, the Council also approved a sum of N79.3 billion as variation for Bodo Bonny Road in Rivers State.

“Then there was also the contract for the Bodo-Bonny Road and bridge. That contract was previously awarded at N120.6 billion.

“We sought approval from council to augment it by N79.305 billion, bringing it to a total sum of N199 billion. N199.923 billion is now the total revised contract sum and council approved.

“Major highlight of the augmentation was to revise the prices, which were based on 2002 prices when it was awarded, and also to change some of the scope of works and design.

“Instead of approach roads, we’re constructing more approach bridges,” he said.

Fashola added: “There were also provisions for additional mini bridges. There were also provisional bridges over pipelines that were discovered, instead of relocating the pipelines, which was meant to cause much more money.”