•FG resumes work on deserted highway initiatives
Deji Elumoye in Abuja
The Federal Govt Council (FEC) has accredited a N1.06 trillion contract for the development of the primary part of the coastal highway from Lagos to eight different states.
Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, who disclosed this to newsmen yesterday after the council assembly presided over by President Bola Tinubu on the State Home, Abuja, defined that the part was half the 700 kilometer highway spanning 9 states and with two spurs resulting in the northern states.
Based on him, FEC accredited funds for the primary part fabricated from the 47.47 kilometers twin carriage means of 5 lanes on both sides and a practice monitor within the center, including that the challenge can be constructed with concrete.
His phrases: “At present, we had the the approval of FEC for the development of 700 kilometer of coastal routes working from Lagos by means of the 9 coastal routes or states as much as Cross River, that means that it goes to Lagos, the Lekki Deep Seaport, Ogun State, Ondo State, Delta, Bayelsa, Port Harcourt and Akwa Ibom.
“However we even have two spurs that results in the north, from the continued Badagry-Sokoto route and the one which results in the transSahara route that goes from Ogoja right down to Cameroon.
“Now, it’s a twin carriage means. And every carriage means has 5 lanes and a provision for a practice infrastructure that shall be on the center.
“The October thirtieth, FEC had accredited that this challenge be procured below EPC+ Engineering, Procurement, Development and Financing. And so in favour of Excessive Tech Development African Restricted, which implies that they have been speculated to seek for the funding.
“They have already got began trying to find the funding, however hitches listed here are there. And so, the Ministry had to return to Mr. President to ask for 2 issues and that was on January 18. We requested can we quick monitor this?
“Since this challenge was going to be procured in two phases and a number of sections, can we get the federal authorities to fund the part one, which is what’s 47.47 kilometers working from Ahmadu Bello in Lagos right down to Lekki Deep Seaport? Mr. President graciously accredited.
“We even have the problem of lots of infrastructure on the highway hall. So, we requested Mr. President to approve that we realign the highway, in order that we transfer nearer to the ocean shore, after which keep away from these properties which may result in litigation. Mr. President additionally accredited.
“However then that led to a brand new problem. And the problem is the necessity to begin the challenge as rapidly as doable as to guard, the communities alongside the hall.
“So immediately, we’ve procured the primary part, which is 47.47 kilometers, below 10 lanes and FEC graciously accredited the contract for N1.067 trillion with no objection.
“FEC additionally accredited that the second part be procured, you recognize, to be funded by federal authorities, which is about 57 kilometers. And that runs from Lekki deep seaport to the boundary between Ogun and that part two of part one.
“After which the third part is to start out from the top of the highway, which is Calabar. And in order that’s about 50 kilometers, and is procured below part three of part one, and is working from you recognize, Calabar and going in the direction of Akwa Ibom and in the direction of Port Harcourt.
“Then the opposite sections and different locations, will nonetheless be below EPC+F in favor of Excessive Tech Development Africa Restricted. The corporate could be very well-known in this sort of infrastructure growth.
“An instance is the Eko Atlantic Ocean such that will have swallowed the complete Victoria Island, and so they’ve been capable of conquer it below the identical procurements.
“However let me additionally announce that the highway goes to be constructed with concrete and they’re masters in that and you’ll see instance in Apapa-Oshodi expressway, which is able to often have seven hours vans to try this, however immediately is a story of pleasure. They’re additionally the identical firm that’s developing the deep seaport below the identical concrete expertise.
“In addition to that, we even have excellent news about a number of the initiatives that have been awarded between 2006 and 2018. And naturally, you recognize, the costs of development supplies, like in 2006 needs to be anticipating asphalt to price about N2000 per sq. metre, and immediately’s fixed between N27,000 and N30,000 per sq. metre.
“The identical factor goes with diesel, the identical factor goes with cement. And so, a few of these initiatives are caught. And you recognize, certainly one of such that was lifted immediately is the dualization of Kano-Maiduguri highway, part 4, Damaturu-Maiduguri, it was awarded in 2006. And it has stopped as a result of the contracts can now not carry it.
“However immediately it’s been argumented from N39billion. It has breath now and so they can now go on. After which we’ve one other challenge that’s the maintainance of Pankshin-Gindiri Street in Pankshin in Plateau state. It was awarded in 2017 and that the challenge has stopped. However immediately it has gotten nice momentum from 10 billion to N20 billion.
“After which we’ve the third route the identical factor, the route that’s going from Mayo-Belewa-Jega-Kanya-Tungur highway in Adamawa state. It was awarded in 2018 and immediately it has been argumented from N21 billion to N43 billion in keeping with the realities of the development market costs.
“After which the final one is a highway that’s going from Yakasai-Badume-Damagum-Makin Zali in Kano state. This was awarded in January 2021 and it’s been argumented from N12 billion to 17 billion.
“Let me finish by saying that we’re going to be having numerous these roads tending to cease. However Mr. President graciously has directed that such initiatives needs to be reviewed in keeping with the realities of the current development primary supplies.
“So, we’ve over 1,000 roads which can be going to endure this sort of course of to maintain them alive and in keeping with the directive of Mr. President. Most of them are inherited initiatives from the previous administrations.”
