Abuja: The Federal Government has initiated the reconstruction of the collapsed Keffi Flyover in Nasarawa State, while expediting major roadworks across the country. Minister of Works, Mr. Dave Umahi, revealed this development following a Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting chaired by President Bola Tinubu.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Umahi referred to the July 4 collapse as ‘very unfortunate’ and announced a settlement with the families of the three individuals who lost their lives. “We lost three lives there. We have settled with the families. They are not pressing charges. Reconstruction has commenced,” the minister stated. He also mentioned that one carriageway has been closed for urgent repairs after structural assessments were conducted to prevent further hazards.
The Keffi Flyover serves as a crucial connection between Abuja, Nasarawa, and other parts of Nigeria’s north-central region. Umahi further disclosed that FEC has approved funding and reviews for several significant road and bridge projects nationwide. He highlighted that 360 road rehabilitation projects were completed in 2023, and inspections are ongoing across all zones. To ensure transparency, state engineering chambers will now assist in monitoring federal road projects within their respective areas.
The minister detailed several strategic projects, many of which exceed ?10 billion, that have either commenced or received significant funding. These include Abuja Road Lot 1, covering 118 km at ?275bn, with 30 percent disbursed and completed, and Lot 2, spanning 164 km at ?502bn, with ?150bn released for six sections. Other priority projects include the Enugu-Onitsha Road, 72 km at ?150bn, with ?45bn released; the Abuja-Kano Road at ?220bn, with 30 percent disbursed; and the Bauchi-Jigawa Sections, which are fully funded. The Nembe-Brass Road, valued at ?156bn, has already seen 30 percent of funds released.
Additionally, the near-complete Port Harcourt-Bodo-Bonny Road stretches 35 km and costs ?200bn. Further projects consist of the Benin-Ifon-Akure Road, 108.4 km with 30 percent disbursed; and the Akure-Ado-Ekiti Road, 256 km at ?761bn, with 30 percent released.
Newly approved and revised projects include the Biu-Numa Road (Borno/Adamawa), revised to ?61.76bn from ?15.4bn, and the Maraba-Keffi Road (Nasarawa), with a dualization of 43.6 km at ?76bn. The Ikorodu-Sagamu Road (Lagos) received a ?11.42bn variation approval for completion. Also included are the Kashamu-Amshi-Guru-Gurus Road (Yobe) at ?23.4bn for binder courses and a new vehicle bridge.
Further approvals encompass the Afe Babalola University Access Road (Ekiti), revised to 14.4 km at ?9.32bn due to funding gaps, the Trans-Saharan Highway (Oyo-Benue border) extended from 180 km to 231.64 km, with a revised cost of ?445.8bn due to soil failures and realignment, and the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway (Sections 4A and 4B in Ogun and Ondo), 80.35 km x2 at ?1.65tn, including 6-meter swamp excavation. Umahi committed to publishing a comprehensive list of all ongoing and approved projects in the coming weeks.