The Federal Executive Council on Wednesday approved the reconstruction of the Ibadan–Ife–Ilesa Road, a 103-kilometer dual carriageway at a cost of ₦427 billion.

Minister of Works, Dave Umahi disclosed this at a briefing with State House correspondents after the FEC meeting chaired by President Tinubu.

The Ibadan–Ife–Ilesa Road, formed part of six major infrastructure projects approved by the Council.

The Minister recalled that the project awarded by previous administrations recorded little progress.

He told journalists that the Oyo state government had already done to standard, about five kilometres of the road as part of the state’s infrastructure development programme.

The Minister also disclosed that FEC equally approved a cost of ₦5.6 billion for the design and costing of a new Carter Bridge project in Lagos.

He hinted that the Carter Bridge would be demolished in line with recommendations of the technical evaluations and stakeholder consultations which observed that the existing bridge structure could no longer be rehabilitated.

He said: “The stakeholders’ engagement and technical reviews showed that the Carter Bridge can no longer be rehabilitated. It has to be demolished and a completely new bridge constructed.”

The Works Minister revealed that a firm, Advanced Engineering Consultants has been engaged to carry out the detailed design and cost assessment ahead of the procurement process for the construction of the new bridge.

Engineer Umahi also disclosed to journalists that the Federal Government has re-awarded the Suleja–Minna Road, to China Geo-Engineering Corporation (CGC) at a cost of ₦91 billion, to complete the remaining 71 kilometres of the dual carriageway.

The Minister recalled that the projects initially awarded to Salini Construction Company was terminated due to poor performance.

The second carriageway, he told journalists has also received clearance from the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP).

Umahi added that President Tinubu instructed that for durability, the road be constructed using reinforced concrete.

The FEC also approved the reconstruction of the Abuja–Lokoja Road at a cost of ₦146 billion.

Umahi declared that following the termination of contracts awarded to two underperforming contractors, the affected 86-kilometre section would now be handled by five contractors, including Julius Berger, which is already executing other segments along the corridor.

The Council also approved Phase Two of the Keffi–Nasarawa–Abaji Road rehabilitation project, covering 129.3 kilometres at a cost of ₦203 billion.

When completed, the road project, according to the Minister the road will significantly improve connectivity between Nasarawa State and the Federal Capital Territory.

Umahi revealed that May 15 has been picked for commissioning of four major road projects in each of the six geopolitical zones across the country.

“We are presenting a minimum of four completed projects in each zone for presidential commissioning by May 15. These are not palliative works; they are major infrastructure projects.”