President Bola Tinubu has approved six major road infrastructure projects across Nigeria, including the proposed demolition of the Carter Bridge in Lagos and the design of a new replacement structure.
The Minister of Works, David Umahi, disclosed that the Federal Government has resolved to complete the long-delayed Suleja–Minna Road project. The contract was initially awarded to Salini Construction Company but was terminated over poor performance after only 10 kilometres had been completed. Umahi said the government will now deliver the remaining 71 kilometres of the dual carriageway. One carriageway has been awarded to China Geo-Engineering Corporation at a cost of ₦91 billion, while the second carriageway has received clearance from the Bureau of Public Procurement ahead of commencement.
The President also approved the design and costing of a new Carter Bridge in Lagos at ₦5.6 billion. According to Umahi, comprehensive technical assessments and consultations with stakeholders established that the existing Carter Bridge can no longer be rehabilitated and must be demolished and replaced. Advanced Engineering Consultants has been engaged to undertake the detailed engineering design and cost evaluation in preparation for the procurement process for the new bridge.
In the North-West, the Federal Government approved the review and rescoping of the 132-kilometre Kano–Kongolam Road, a tax credit project first awarded in 2022. The highway, which connects Kano, Jigawa and Katsina states, was initially designed as an asphalt road but has now been redesigned into a three-lane concrete carriageway. The upgraded project will feature solar-powered streetlights and closed-circuit television installations to strengthen security along the corridor. The revised cost is estimated at ₦334 billion.
The Abuja–Lokoja Road will also undergo reconstruction following the termination of contracts previously awarded to two contractors over unsatisfactory performance. Umahi stated that the affected 86-kilometre stretch will be rebuilt using reinforced concrete pavement and executed by five contractors, including Julius Berger, which is currently handling other sections of the corridor. The project is projected to cost ₦146 billion.
Approval was equally granted for the reconstruction of the 103-kilometre Ibadan–Ife–Ilesa dual carriageway at a cost of ₦427 billion. The Works Minister explained that although the contract was awarded by the previous administration, progress remained minimal, prompting a review and re-award under the current government.
Similarly, Phase Two of the Keffi–Nasarawa–Abaji Road rehabilitation project, covering 129.3 kilometres, has been approved at a cost of ₦203 billion. Umahi noted that the project is expected to significantly enhance connectivity between Nasarawa State and the Federal Capital Territory.
The minister further revealed that the Federal Government is targeting the commissioning of at least four major road projects in each of the six geopolitical zones before May 15.
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