Federal Government Initiates Talks with State Governors to Revive Stalled Road Projects
The Federal Government has initiated discussions with several state governors to take over stalled federal road projects across the country. This move aims to accelerate project completion and reduce financial pressure on the national budget. The announcement was made by Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, during a briefing for State House correspondents following the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting presided over by President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
Umahi highlighted that the FEC considered 11 memos from his ministry—nine for reviews of inherited projects and two for new contract awards—as part of the government’s efforts to complete key national road corridors. He emphasized that these actions are part of a broader strategy to ensure infrastructure development aligns with current economic realities and regional needs.
One of the significant approvals involved ₦43 billion for the completion of Phase II, Section II of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway. This project covers flyovers, underpasses, concrete pavement, ramps, and adjoining roads that were not implemented in earlier phases. Umahi explained that this project was awarded about five years ago but did not proceed due to various challenges. When President Tinubu took office, the FEC terminated the previous contract, and the project was re-awarded for ₦43 billion.
Another major project reviewed was the Mushin-NNPC Junction-Apapa-Oshodi Expressway dualisation. Initially awarded in 2022 for ₦11 billion, the project was revised to ₦19.09 billion due to inflation and rising construction costs. It covers a 14.4km stretch and is a critical component of the city’s transportation network.
The Council also approved Section III of the 1,068km Sokoto-Badagry Superhighway, covering 162.97km from Badagry through Ogun to the Oyo border. This section is designed as a six-lane reinforced concrete highway at a cost of ₦3.39 billion per kilometre.
For the Ilorin-Omu Aran-Egba Road, which measures 206.7km in total, Phase I (31km) was approved at ₦43 billion, while the remaining 184.7km will be executed when funding improves. Similarly, the Enugu-Onitsha Road (OP Junction-Ukehe-Okatu-Abu-Udi-Oji to the Anambra border) was broken into phases. Phase I (35.1km) was approved for ₦28.47 billion, with ₦21 billion already paid and a ₦7 billion balance left to complete the phase.
The East-West Road project, inherited at ₦156 billion, was redesigned due to heavy traffic volumes. Umahi mentioned that one carriageway has been fully completed, and 30% of the second is underway. Flyovers at Abuloma and Refinery Junctions in Rivers State will be brought forward for award under Phase II by the end of the month.
On the Ota-Idiroko Road, Section I (14km) was revised from ₦43 billion to ₦98 billion after changing from flexible to rigid pavement and addressing high underground water levels. The 509m flyover section with dual ramps was revised from ₦17 billion to ₦23 billion.
The Council also approved Phase II of the Wasasa-Turunku-Mararaba Road in Kaduna State (42km) at ₦30.23 billion, while Section I (7.8km) had earlier been approved for ₦18 billion.
In the South-west, the Ijebu Igbo-Etapa-Owoyen Road spanning 37km across Ogun and Oyo States was re-evaluated from ₦13 billion to ₦53 billion, with a 7km extension and reinforced concrete pavement.
Umahi attributed most cost reviews to higher material prices, water table challenges, and the shift to rigid pavement. “The cost of reinforcement alone has risen to over ₦1.1 million per ton, so we had to adjust rates to reflect current market realities,” he said.
The minister added that governors in Edo, Delta, Abia, and Rivers States have already assumed funding and execution of several federal road projects within their territories to ease pressure on the federal purse. “Because of funding constraints, we are phasing projects and engaging willing governors to take over some of these roads. The partnership is helping us deliver faster and ensure every region benefits from renewed investment in infrastructure,” Umahi added.