by Laila Ibrahim

The Federal Government has approved contracts worth N57.34billion for the rehabilitation, construction and review of various roads across the federation.

The Federal Executive Council (FEC) in its meeting on Wednesday, December 17, approved the award of contract for the rehabilitation of the outstanding section of Onitsha-Enugu Expressway: Amansea-Enugu in Enugu State in favour of Messrs RCC Nigeria Limited in the sum of N24.243billion with a completion period of 36 months.

While speaking to journalists after the weekly council meeting, the Supervising Minister of Information, Nurudeen Mohammed, said there is a budgetary provision of N400million in the ministry’s 2014 appropriation and N11billion under SURE-P 2014 appropriation which is adequate for the takeoff of the project, which is expected to generate employment for not less than 25 engineers, 100 skilled and 435 semi-skilled workers in the course of execution.

The FEC also gave approval for the award of contracts for the rehabilitation of Sokoto-Tambuwal-Jega-Birni Yauri-Kontagora-Makera Road in Sokoto, Kebbi and Niger States and Vandeikya-Obudu Cattle Ranch in Benue and Cross River State.

The projects upon completion will enhance socioeconomic activities as it passes through rich agricultural lands in Sokoto, Kebbi, Niger, Benue and Cross Rivers and links Benue State to the famous Obudu Cattle Ranch, a major tourist destination in Nigeria.

There is a budgetary provision of N1.8billion in the ministry’s 2014 appropriation for the projects and the balance of funds for the project will be provided for in the ministry’s subsequent budgets.

The Council after deliberations approved the award of the following projects as additional works to Phase 1: “Rehabilitation of Sokoto-Tambuwal-Jega-Birni Yauri Road: Jega-Birni Yauri (186km) in Kebbi State in favour of Messrs Triacta Nigeria Limited in the sum of N19.8billion, thereby revising the contract sum from N10.5billion to N30.4billion with a completion period of 36 months.”

“Rehabilitation of Sokoto-Jega-Kontagora-Makera Road: Kontagora-Makera (85km) in Niger State in favour of Messrs CRCC Construction Company Limited in the sum N10.6billion thereby revising the contract sum from N8.9billion to N19.5billion with a completion period of 30 months.”

“Rehabilitation of Vandeikya-Obudu Cattle Ranch (completion of outstanding 12.5km) in Benue/Cross River States in fab our of Messrs CECC Nigeria Limited in the sum of N3.3billion thereby revising the contract sum from N3.29billion to N6.6billion with completion period of 18 months.”

Kolapo Olapoju