The Federal Executive Council (FEC) approved N1.267 trillion for the construction of 28 roads and bridges nationwide. Additionally, the council established the Renewed Hope Infrastructure Development Fund (RHIDF) to address the country's $878 billion infrastructure gap. Works Minister Dave Umahi and FIRS Chairman Zacch Adedeji announced these decisions after the FEC meeting in Abuja, presided over by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Umahi disclosed that besides the 28 approved projects, FEC also allocated N144 billion for the Shaki-Okerete Road in Oyo State and N83.779 billion for the Buruku Bridge in Katsina Ala, Benue State. However, the council temporarily set aside the N158 billion Biu-Kanga-Kana-Gaya road project to the Niger Republic border based on the minister's request.
Umahi stated, "Today, the Federal Executive Council considered and approved a total of 28 roads and bridges and stepped down one project." He further elaborated on the Buruku Bridge in Benue State, describing it as a twin bridge spanning the Katsina Ala River, with each bridge measuring about 850 meters, totaling 1.7 kilometers and costing approximately N83.799 billion. Another approved project is the Shaki and Okerete road in Oyo, which spans 91.432 kilometers and costs N144 billion.
Adedeji, also President Tinubu's special adviser on revenue, clarified that the RHIDF would be housed in the Presidency. The fund is an enhancement of the Presidential Infrastructure Development Fund initiated by the previous administration. Adedeji noted that Nigeria's National Integrated Infrastructure Masterplan estimated infrastructure expenditure from 2016 to 2040 at $878 billion, averaging $35 billion annually.
