FEC approves N2 trillion for Sokoto–Badagry highway sections, N1.65 trillion for Lagos–Calabar coastal road
The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved N2 trillion for sections of the Sokoto–Badagry highway and N1.65 trillion for sections of the Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway.
Minister of Works David Umahi announced this after the FEC meeting on Thursday in Abuja.
He said the Sokoto–Badagry approvals include a second carriageway of 258 kilometres in Kebbi at N961 billion, alongside an earlier 2024 contract for a single carriageway at N947 billion.
An additional 120 kilometres in Sokoto was approved at N456 billion, bringing the combined cost for these sections to about N2 trillion.
For the Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway, the new approvals cover sections 4A and 4B, totalling 80.35 kilometres between Ogun and Ondo States. The six-lane road, estimated at N1.65 trillion, involves major earthworks, soil replacement, and elevation to prevent flooding along swampy terrain.
Then we have the Sokoto–Badagry. You are aware that we had awarded the Sokoto–Badagry before now, I think it was in August 2024, and that was 258 kilometers in Kebbi for one carriageway. And that was for a contract sum of N947 billion.
“So today we have awarded the second carriageway in Kebbi, 258 kilometers, three lanes, for N961 billion. And then in Sokoto, an additional 120 kilometers for N456 billion.
“So, we have completed in Sokoto 120 kilometers by 2, that’s 240 kilometers, and that’s roughly about N920 billion. And in Kebbi you have 258 times 2, that’s 516 kilometers, and that is roughly about N2 trillion,” Umahi said.
He added, “Lastly, the Lagos Calabar Coastal Highway section 4a and 4b. 4a is in Ogun State. Taking from where section 2 stopped at Lekki. And then going to the Ondo. We have about 40 kilometers in Ogun State. And a 40.35 kilometer in Ondo State. And so the Ondo has gotten to the border between Ondo and Ondo State. And that’s where we are. And the total kilometer is 80.35 by 2. That is 80.535 kilometers, six lanes. And the total contract sum is N1.65 trillion.”
He also disclosed that the Trans-Sahara Road project from Ebonyi to the Benue border has been revised from 118 to 221.64 kilometres due to poor soil conditions, with two new bridges added. The total contract sum for this project has increased from N361 billion to N445.851 billion.
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Umahi said the FEC also approved revisions and extra funding for several other highways across the country.
The Biu–Numan road in Borno and Adamawa, awarded in 2020 for 45 kilometres at N15.43 billion, has been revised to N61.763 billion due to inflation and other cost pressures, with the original scope retained.
The 43.6-kilometre Maraba–Keffi dual carriageway, awarded in May 2023, has been restructured to use concrete pavement. Following the fuel subsidy removal and exchange rate changes, the project will now be executed in phases. With N76 billion available from NNPC cash flow, one carriageway and 2 kilometres of the second carriageway will be completed, while the rest of the route will be maintained.
For the Ikorodu–Shagamu road, which is about 25 percent complete after being reviewed in March 2023, FEC approved an additional N11.423 billion to accelerate work.
In Yobe State, the 36.2-kilometre Kashamu–Amshi–Guru–Gurus road has been adjusted to include a binder course, a vehicle bridge to replace a pedestrian bridge, and concrete protection for swampy sections. These additions raised the contract cost by N8.94 billion, up from the initial N14.526 billion.
The Ado Ekiti–Afe Babalola University road, awarded in February 2023 for 40.72 kilometres, has been scaled down due to funding constraints and will now cover 14.4 kilometres at a cost of N9.32 billion.
As seen on nairametric
The First Lady, Sen. Oluremi Tinubu has urged Christians youth to show love to their neighbours always in order to promote national development.
Tinubu also advised the youth to avoid judging others on the basis of religious beliefs.
The first lady gave the advice on Monday when she received in audience the Youth Wing of the Christian Association of Nigeria (YOWICAN) and hosted it to an Easter Brunch at the State House, Abuja.
Tinubu said she was encouraged by the group’s visit and show of love, adding that it takes sacrificial love and compassion to change the world.
She called on young people to be at the forefront of promoting gender equity, pointing out that there is room for women who are willing, to thrive in the country.
The National Chairman of YOWICAN, Mr Belusochukwu Enwerem, on behalf of the group, expressed appreciation to the first lady for her interventions.
He said the association was prepared to run with the vision of President Bola Tinubu and the first lady of promoting peace and development by sustaining engagement with Muslims to foster religious harmony in the country.
To further demonstrate the support of the association to her Renewed Hope Initiative, the YOWICAN National Chairman announced the launch of the ‘Renewed Hope Neighbour2Neighbour Movement’ and decorated the First Lady as the Grand Patron of the group.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the visit was the second Easter homage by the YOWICAN to the first lady.
The visit afforded members of the group the opportunity to share Easter felicitations with their patron and dine with her.
Mrs Tinubu announced the donation of seven 14-seater CNG-powered buses to support the evangelical work of YOWICAN across the country. (NAN)
As ssen on News Agency of Nigeria. Edited by Emmanuel Yashim
Sowore under fire over attacks on Christian leaders in Nigeria
The Concerned Christian Youth Forum (CCYF) has issued a stern warning against Omoyele Sowore over his recent derogatory remarks about Christian leaders in Nigeria.
Describing his comments as offensive, baseless, and unacceptable, the forum declared that it will no longer tolerate any further attacks on the Christian faith or its revered leaders.
CCYF, in a statement signed by its Convener, Adama Paul James, emphasized that labeling respected Fathers of Faith as failures, uneducated, or jobless is not only false but also a deliberate attempt to demean the contributions of these esteemed spiritual and intellectual figures.
The group cautioned that Sowore’s reckless statements could incite religious unrest, calling on the government to take necessary action to prevent any potential crisis.
The statement reads below:
“We, the Concerned Christian Youth Forum, have recently learned of the disrespectful and abusive comments made by Omoyele Sowore against Christian leaders in general. This behavior is completely unacceptable.
“To label our Fathers of Faith and Pastors as failures, uneducated, or jobless is preposterous, egregiously disrespectful, and therefore unacceptable. The time has come to put an end to Sowore’s incessant attacks on the Christian Faith and her reputable leaders.
“It is a shame that he, Sowore, has chosen to denigrate the accomplishments and contributions of some of the most revered Fathers of our Faith and Pastors in our country, each of whom has achieved remarkable success in their respective fields.
“Bishop Francis Wale Oke, Pastor E.A. Adeboye, Bishop David Oyedepo, Pastor W.F. Kumuyi, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, Pastor D.K. Olukoya, Pastor David Ibiyeomie, Dr. Pastor Paul Enenche, Pastor Chris Oyakhilome, Pastor Paul Adefarasin, Apostle Johnson Suleman, Pastor Poju Oyemade, Apostle Joshua Selman, Pastor Jerry Eze, Pastor Biodun Fatoyinbo, Pastor Godman Akinlabi, Pastor Emmanuel Iren, Pastor Korede Komaiya, and many others—too numerous to mention—possess impressive academic achievements, not to mention their years of service and devotion to their faith.
“Sowore should reflect on the fact that these individuals are not only spiritual leaders but also intellectual heavyweights who have earned the respect and admiration of millions of believers around the world. Academically, Sowore is a dwarf where most of these men are standing. How can a sane man refer to a First-Class graduate of Mathematics or a Professor of Mathematics as uneducated?
“It is apparent that Sowore’s insults are not grounded in reality but rather in ignorance and hate. His insults further confirm that he is an uncouth, uncultured, and unlearned man who is desperately seeking attention and relevance.
“We urge him to rethink his approach and refrain from further attacks against Christianity and her leaders. The Concerned Christian Youth Forum will not stand idly by and watch our Faith and leaders disrespected and maligned by Sowore.
“This is to serve as a strong note of warning to Omoyele Sowore and his ilk that any further attacks on Christianity or Christian leaders will be met with a stronger response. Sowore should be mindful that his misguided words and actions have far-reaching consequences, even capable of causing a breakdown of law and order. He should be held accountable for his reckless, rascally, and ignoble role in inciting social and religious disturbance in a volatile society such as ours.
“We, the Concerned Christian Youth Forum, stand in solidarity with our Christian Leaders and our Faith. We will not tolerate any further attacks against them, and we will continue to defend their honor and integrity. We wish to draw the attention of the government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to the potential danger of Sowore’s rascality, especially as it borders on religious sensitivity and its implications for national peace and security.”
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