A critical push aimed at reducing pressure on the few major linkage roads between Southern and Northern Nigeria has begun as the Federal Executive Council (FEC) on Wednesday, approved N36 billion for the construction of another bridge on River Benue to link the South East, South-South and the North Central Zones of the country.
The Minister of Works, Mr Mike Onolememen, made made the announcement while briefing State House Correspondents in Abuja, on the outcome of the FEC meeting, presided by President Goodluck Jonathan.
He said that the bridge which would be about 1,970 metres long would ease the traffic on the Abuja-Lokoja and Akwanga-Lafia roads when completed.
“Federal Government at its sitting today in the council graciously approved the award of the contract for the construction of a bridge across the River Benue between Oju-loko and Oweto
“This particular bridge is part of the major economic artery in the country that runs through from Abuja through Nasarawa, Loko, Oweto on the Enugu and Port Harcourt corridors.
“So, you can see, it is a major artery and we believe that it will lead to the speedy movement of goods and services between the Southern part of the country and the Northern part, particularly between the South East Zone, South South Zone and the North Central Zone,’’ he said.
He disclosed further that the project was expected to be completed in 48 months as adequate budgetary allocation had been set aside for the execution of the project.
Also addressing the correspondents, the Minister of Information, Mr Labaran Maku, said the council continued its deliberation on the Presidential Projects Assessment Committee on Dam Projects in the country.
He stated that the council noted that more than 200 ongoing or completed dams across the country could generate more than 3,000 megawatts of electricity as well as irrigate 3.1 million farmlands.
“Also, we agreed that these dam projects are very crucial for the nation. So we will do a roadmap on how we can address some of the issues to ensure that the ongoing projects are completed because completing them will be very strategic for the development of Nigeria.
“So, we have found the report very useful and all of us agreed that indeed the wisdom of setting up this committee is beginning to show,’’ he said.
According to him, the council also approved N270 million to buy two Sea Princess Boats for the Nigeria Customs Service to check the menace of smuggling.
“To re-invigorate the Customs Service, the council ratified approval for the procurement of two A30 Sea Princess Boats with back up spare parts and training of crew members in the sum of N270 million, with a delivery period of six weeks,’’ he said.