TheCable

The federal executive council (FEC) has approved contracts worth N56.2 billion for the construction of roads and a car park in the federal capital territory (FCT). 

Mohammed Bello, FCT minister, disclosed this on Wednesday while briefing state house correspondents after the FEC meeting presided over by Yemi Osinbajo. 

Bello said the approvals are for the construction of Kuje, 105 highways, access road and car park for Abuja Light Rail stations.

“Council approved two contracts for the FCT including for the Full Scope Development of Federal Capital Territory Highway 105, Kuje Road, from Airport Expressway to Kuje Junction Stage 1, Abuja at the cost of N54,946,009,160.04,” he said. 

“It was awarded to Messrs Arab Contractors O. A. O Nigeria Limited with a completion period of 48 months. 

“The second contract award is for the construction of Access Road and Car Park for Abuja Light Rail Stations – Gbazango Station of the Federal Capital City, Abuja – Lot 7 at the cost of N1,291,568,845.33. 

“It was awarded in favour of Messrs CBC Global Civil and Building Construction Nigeria Limited with a completion period of 8 months.”

According to the FCT minister, efforts were underway to complete the construction of the Apo-Karshi road.

“Apo-Karshi road is a road that should have been completed quite some time. It has faced a lot of challenges, some of which include funding, design error, and a few other issues,” he said.

“I do know that just before I took my (COVID) break, a team from the relevant departments interfaced with them, and they are very clear. I will try as much as possible to get this project over with at the level of my office by making sure that funding is adequately provided.”

On his part, Rotimi Amaechi, minister of transportation, said FEC approved all the four memos he presented on behalf of his ministry.

He said FEC approved a memo for the clearing of equipment for the deep blue project, “which will enable us to sight some of these projects in the coastal towns along the coasts”. 

According to him, the sum of N2.7 billion would be paid to the contracted clearing agents. 

Last year, FEC had approved a contract worth N6.3 billion for waterways surveillance under the Deep Blue project. 

The Deep blue project is also known as the Integrated National Security and Waterways Protection Infrastructure project.

Amaechi said FEC also approved a contract for the reconstruction of the narrow gauge track from Niger to Baro.

“So, there will now be a rail line from Baro to Minna to join the narrow gauge so that when cargoes come to Baro, they can then be evacuated through the narrow gauge,” he said.