Latest news with #DaveUmahi
Zawya
06-05-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Nigeria: FEC approves $489mln, $652mln for dams, roads in Ondo, Ekiti, others
Federal Executive Council (FEC) on Monday, approved a total of N787.14 billion and $651.7 million for a wide range of infrastructure and ecological projects across Nigeria, including major road constructions, dam rehabilitations, and irrigation schemes – all aimed at boosting connectivity, food production, and economic resilience. The approvals followed a marathon cabinet session presided over by President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. Minister of Works Dave Umahi told journalists that the Council approved revisions and fresh contracts for major road projects spanning 13 states, including key corridors inherited from the previous administration. Among them is the rescoping of the Akure-Eta-Ogbese-Iju-Ekiti border to Ikere-Ado-Ekiti dual carriageway, now revised to ₦19.4 billion for 15km of the 18.4km stretch. Similarly, a long-delayed 375km Sokoto-Zamfara-Katsina-Kaduna highway will now focus on an 82.4km segment with six new bridges—retained within the original ₦105 billion budget. In Borno State, the 105km Maiduguri-Monguno road has been segmented, with the first 30km awarded for ₦21 billion. Additional contracts include: Abakaliki-Afikpo Flyover, Ebonyi State – ₦25 billion; Ikoga and Atan-Alapoti-Ado-Odo Roads, Ogun State – ₦37.05 billion; Enugu-Onitsha Dual Carriageway (Tax Credit, MTN) – ₦150 billion for 77km and Benin-Shagamu-Ore Road (96km segment) – ₦187 billion. Umahi also announced a $651.7 million funding package from the China Exim Bank for the 50km 7th Axial Road, a key transport corridor linking the Lekki Deep Seaport and Dangote's industrial complex. 'The road includes five kilometers of bridgework and will serve as a major evacuation route for cargo, reducing pressure on Apapa Port,' he said. Progress on the high-profile Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway was also highlighted. Umahi said over 70 percent of Section One is complete, with 30km set for commissioning. In Section Two, 10km is nearly finished. A separate 10km of the Sokoto-Badagry corridor is targeted for delivery by May 25. The minister added that recent reviews by international lenders, including Dutch Bank and the Development Bank of Southern Africa, validated the integrity of the procurement process. 'They even said the project was undervalued,' he said. In a separate briefing, Dr Emanso Umobong, Permanent Secretary of the Cabinet Affairs Office, announced critical interventions in water and agricultural infrastructure. FEC approved the rehabilitation and expansion of: Tiga Dam, Kano – ₦11.83 billion; Shalagua Gorge Dam – ₦7.47 billion and Kafinciri Irrigation Scheme – ₦7.4 billion 'These projects are integral to President Tinubu's Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritises food security, rural prosperity, and climate resilience,' she said. Umobong explained that the dams and irrigation works would benefit over 30,000 farming households and more than 50,000 acres of land, enabling up to three farming cycles annually and generating over 300,000 jobs. She also confirmed ecological interventions, including erosion control, watershed restoration, and flood prevention across 16 local government areas in Kano. In Maiduguri, the Council approved emergency works on Alau Dam, which caused serious flooding in 2023. 'This will avert future disasters and ensure better water management in Borno State,' Umobong added. Copyright © 2022 Nigerian Tribune Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Zawya
02-05-2025
- Automotive
- Zawya
Nigeria: Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway 70% completed, delivery January 2026
Construction of the Phase One of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway in will be completed in January 2026, the Minister of Works, Senator Dave Umahi, has said. Umahi made the disclosure during an inspection tour of the highway. 'We came to review the project with the financial promoters – Dutch Bank and Development Bank of Southern Africa,' he said. He said it was projected that 20km of the road (from Ahmadu Bello Way in Lagos) would have been completed by May. Umahi said that the first phase of the highway project had been more than 70 percent completed although the contractor had not got funds up to the 70 percent. 'That is why I call them people that have set their minds towards nation-building rather than making money,' he said. According to him, along the corridor, there are some lands that have been acquired for tourism, industries, factories and housing estates. 'These are the road architecture that you are going to receive on this highway. I assure you that by January next year, God willing, we'll have this road completed,' the minister said. He praised the contractor handling the project, Hitech Construction Company, for efforts, saying 'the road is exceptionally technically well-designed.' 'I commend also the department in charge of this project – the Department of Bridge and Roads, and, of course, the Controller of Works in Lagos,' he said. Umahi said that the greatest worry he could have would be motorists joining the highway 'from their houses.' 'It is going to be a very serious issue; so, we have to design a barrier. I know that you are putting a retaining wall but you have not incorporated a retaining wall all through.' He said that, as a superhighway, it would be expected that motorists would join it at flyovers and interchanges to avoid gridlock. Copyright © 2022 Nigerian Tribune Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
