Minister David Umahi announced this while addressing reporters after a meeting with the President at the Presidential Villa yesterday in Abuja.
The minister, who said the emergency repairs would gulp about N217 billion, added that the President had approved more road interventions, including project upgrades.
He said President Tinubu had also approved the resurfacing of the Third Mainland Bridge, construction of Lekki Deep Seaport road, both in Lagos; re-construction of two collapsed bridges in Enugu, and reconstruction of two locations on the Onitsha-Owerri road.
Other roads approved for construction include the upgrading of the ongoing Abuja-Keffi-Akwanga-Lafia road, and the dualisation of Lafia by-pass.
“I’ve always commended Mr. President for his deep interest in reinstating most of our roads in the country. Everyday, we get a lot of concerns from the public on the very deplorable situations of our roads. But there is no paper I brought in respect of this that Mr. President has not approved.
“Just yesterday, he approved over 260 road interventions across the 36 states and the FCT. You will recall that, last week, he approved a lot of emergency roads and bridge repairs. We have three bridges that collapsed on the Southwest roads that he approved for reconstruction immediately. We have the Shendam- Lafia that collapsed; we also have the approval for its repairs.
“We have about 17 points along the East-West Road that have been destroyed by flood. Mr. President has approved and released money for the immediate repairs. Of course, the Third Mainland Bridge’s resurfacing and repairs of some noticeable deflections, which have to be done under the deck on top of the water with equipment, he has also approved that.
Two bridges that collapsed in Enugu approved by Mr. President. The two locations on the Onitsha-Owerri Road, Mr. President approved its reconstruction. for Lokoja-Abuja Road, Mr. President approved the reconstruction.
“I can name them, apart from the 260 emergency repairs all over the country that are worth about N217 billion. So, I’m quite glad.
“This afternoon again, Mr. President approved upgrading of the Abuja-Keffi-Akwanga-Lafia road. Of course, it’s ongoing. But it’s a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) with the Chinese and we’re paying 15 per cent.
“Also, the construction of the Lafia bypass dualisation from Makurdi through Oturkpo, through Oboloafor, down to Ninth Mile. It’s a major one, but Mr. President has approved it. This is also being financed by the China EXIMBank; the Lafia-Keffi Road is also financed by Chinese EXIMBank.
“Then the Seventh AXA Road, Lekki Deep Seaport (access) in Lagos; you know the Lagos State government is building the deep seaport, meaning that all the cargoes that cannot berth at the existing ports in Lagos can now come to that location. That’s where the Dangote Refinery is located.”
The Nation
