Nigerian government sanctions 260 roads for emergency patch-up

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has authorised the renovation of 260 roads currently in deplorable conditions across different parts of the country.

The special project is expected to cost about 217 billion Naira.

This was revealed by the Minister of Works, David Umahi, in a conversation with correspondents following a meeting with the President on Thursday at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

According to Umahi, the President also approved the resurfacing of the 3rd Mainland Bridge, the construction of the Lekki deep seaport road, the reconstruction of two collapsed bridges in Enugu, and the reconstruction of two places on the Onitsha-Owerri Road.

The Minister said: “I’ve always commended Mr President for his deep interest in reinstating most of our roads in the country. Every day, we get a lot of concerns from the public on the very deplorable situation of our roads, but there is no paper I brought regarding that Mr President has not approved.

“Just yesterday, he approved over 260 road interventions across the 36 states and the FCT. You’ll recall that last week, he approved many emergency road and bridge repairs; we have three bridges that collapsed on the Southwest roads, and he approved for reconstruction immediately. We have the Shendam-Lafia that collapsed and the approval for its repairs.

“We have about 17 points along the East-West Road that have been destroyed by flood; Mr President has approved and released money for the immediate repairs. Of course, the Third Mainland Bridge’s resurfacing and repairs of some noticeable deflections have to be done under the deck on top of the water with equipment; he has also approved that.

“I can name them, apart from the 260 emergency repairs all over the country worth about N217 billion, so I’m quite glad.

“This afternoon again, Mr President approved upgrading the Abuja-Keffi-Akwanga-Lafia Road; of course, it’s ongoing, but it’s a PPP with the Chinese, and we’re paying 15 per cent”, he stated.