FEC approves N43.6bn for roads in North-East

The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved N43 billion for the re-construction of roads in five states in the north-east.

This was disclosed by the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development Mrs Sadiya Farouk at the end of the weekly FEC meeting on Wednesday.

She said the roads would be reconstructed by the North-East Development Commission (NEDC).

The said the benefiting states are Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Gombe and Yobe.

“Today, the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development presented to the council on behalf of the North East Development Commission four memos. These memos are in respect of road reconstruction for five states of the North East region, namely Borno, Yobe, Adamawa, Gombe and Bauchi.

“For Borno, we have a 22.5 kilometer road that is to be reconstructed. This road is Ngon-Koshode and Ngon-Dosmari-Zabamari-Kongologo-Kajari road with the contract sum of N13,553,902,668.95.

The second contract is on reconstruction of 53 Kilometer Gombe-Abba to Kirffi Road in Gombe and Bauchi state in the contract sum of N11,697,355,449.61.The other road is the 54 kilometer Mutai in Gudal Road in Yobe states with the contract sum of  N12,199,182,845.70.

“The fourth one is the one for Adamawa State, Garkida road, it has a contract sum of N6, 202,214,413.29 inclusive of 7.5 VAT. Garkida road in Adamawa state located at the fringes of the Sambisa forest,” she said.

The minister said the roads were selected in conjunction with the affected state governments and other critical stakeholders.

She said when completed, the roads would stimulate economic activities, enhance security and facilitate free movement of goods and people in the five states.

“The ministry also is in collaboration with the Ministry of Works and Housing and in the co-funding of various roads in the Northeast region. As you’re aware, the North-East Development Commission was established in 2017. To address issues of rebuilding, reconstructing, rehabilitating, and reintegrating the people of the Northeast who have been affected by the insurgency.

“We are also in partnership and collaboration with the Nigerian Society of engineers in the area of engaging reputable local consultants for the design and supervision of the major works in line with the executive order five for promoting local content in science, engineering, and technology,” she said.