N4.2trn for the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road and Other Significant Road Projects Nationwide Are Approved by FG
Federal Government Approves N4.2 Trillion Road Infrastructure Projects and Unveils Ambitious Creative Economy Plan
The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved road infrastructure projects worth N4.2 trillion, targeting major highways and bridges across Nigeria, including the second phase of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road. Senator David Umahi, the Minister of Works, disclosed this after the FEC meeting chaired by President Bola Tinubu in Abuja.
The projects, spread across several states, aim to enhance connectivity, improve road safety, and boost economic growth. The FEC also approved road construction projects worth N159.5 billion for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), focusing on infrastructure upgrades within Abuja and its satellite towns.
Landmark Road Projects
The largest allocation was for the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, with N1.334 trillion approved for a 130-kilometre dual carriageway spanning Lagos, Ogun, and Akwa Ibom states. This project will be executed under an Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) framework, including a 10-year maintenance plan.
Other notable allocations included:
- Delta State Access Road: N470.9 billion.
- Anambra State Access Road to the Second Niger Bridge: N148 billion.
- Lagos-Ibadan Expressway (Phase 2, Section 1): N195 billion under the Presidential Infrastructure Development Fund (PIDF).
- Lokoja-Benin Road Reconstruction: N305 billion across three sections, using durable concrete pavement.
The Abuja-Kano road project, previously handled by Julius Berger, has been restructured into two lots, expanding its total length to 118 kilometres, with solar streetlights planned throughout.
In addition, N3.571 billion was approved for structural assessments of the Third Mainland Bridge and Carter Bridge in Lagos to prevent further deterioration.
FCT Projects
FCT Minister of State, Mariya Mahmoud Bunkure, announced the approval of five key road projects, including:
- Bus Terminal Access Road in Mabushi (N30.97 billion).
- Arterial Road from Wuye District to Ring Road II (N62.5 billion).
- Kuje-Gwagwalada Dual Carriageway (N7.49 billion).
These projects, awarded to reputable construction firms, are expected to improve accessibility and urban development within the FCT.
Creative and Tourism Economy Plan
The federal government also unveiled an ambitious plan to position Nigeria’s creative and tourism sectors as key economic drivers. Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism, and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa, revealed that the initiative aims to contribute at least $100 billion to the GDP and create over two million jobs.
Central to this plan is the establishment of the Creative and Tourism Infrastructure Corporation (CTIC), designed to develop critical infrastructure for Nigeria’s creative and tourism industries under a public-private partnership (PPP) framework.
Proposed projects include:
- Abuja Creative City and Resort Range.
- Revitalization of Yankari Game Reserve.
- 5,000 new cinema screens nationwide.
- Wole Soyinka Centre for African Arts in Lagos.
- A national museum in Abuja.
Musawa emphasized the government’s commitment to diversifying the economy beyond oil, leveraging Nigeria’s cultural wealth and creative talent to drive growth. “This is a new dawn for Nigeria’s creative and tourism industries,” she said.
Transparency and Durability
Minister Umahi assured Nigerians that due diligence was followed in awarding contracts, dismissing allegations of fake companies. He emphasized the government’s shift to concrete roads, which are more durable and cost-effective than traditional asphalt. “This is not just about roads; it’s about driving Nigeria’s economic transformation,” Umahi said.
With these approvals, the federal government has laid the groundwork for significant infrastructure and economic advancements, setting the stage for a more connected and prosperous Nigeria.
