The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has given the green light for the Ministry of Works to execute three projects worth a total of N873.23 billion across the country. Works Minister Dave Umahi revealed this after the FEC meeting, mentioning the projects as the Obajana-Benin Road, Isheri-Ogun Road, and the Outer Marina Shoreline protection.
Umahi clarified that the rising cost of cement is unrelated to his ministry's concrete road policy. The FEC's approvals include an additional N757 billion for the dualisation of the 489-kilometer Obajana-Benin Road, N2.23 billion for the Isheri-Ogun Road, and N114 billion for the Outer Marina Shoreline protection.
The approval for the N114 billion Outer Marina shoreline protection project was based on the merit found in BuildWell's proposal, which utilizes interlocking concrete technology resistant to rusting. Umahi emphasized the necessity of the shoreline protection given its proximity to the recently inaugurated Red Line and other structures in the area.
Regarding the hike in cement prices, Umahi attributed it to the increased cost of cement production. He highlighted that the concrete road construction policy has not yet been implemented and aims to provide an alternative, especially for sites with high water tables and poor conditions, without phasing out traditional asphalt roads.
