FEC okays N493bn for construction of new Carter Bridge, Kano

The federal executive council (FEC) has earmarked a total of N493 billion for two major infrastructure projects.

David Umahi, minister of works, spoke on Wednesday while briefing State House correspondents after the FEC meeting chaired by President Bola Tinubu.

Umahi said the two projects are the upgrade of the 152-kilometre Kano–Katsina road and the construction of a new Carter Bridge in Lagos state.

The minister said significant cost revisions have been made to the Kano–Katsina Road due to prevailing economic conditions.

“The road had previously been divided into two sections by the former administration,” he said.

“Section one, covering 74.1 kilometres, was initially awarded in 2013 at N14 billion and revised to N24 billion. It has now been updated to N68 billion.

“Section two, spanning 79.5 kilometres and awarded in 2019 for N29 billion before increasing to N46 billion, has been further adjusted to N66.115 billion.”

The minister said the combined cost for both sections now totals approximately N134 billion, with N6 billion allocated in the 2024 budget and N34 billion in the 2025 budget for section one.

He added that section two will receive N80 billion across the next two years.

Speaking on the Carter Bridge, Umahi detailed findings from underwater assessments conducted in 2013 and 2019, which revealed severe damage to the bridge’s substructure caused by illegal sand mining, erosion, and corrosion of piles and piers.

The minister said Julius Berger, the contractor responsible for underwater and structural repairs, advised that the bridge was beyond salvage and recommended complete replacement.