David Umahi, Minister of Works, has stated that the ministry need a total of N217 billion to rehabilitate 260 roads and eight bridges around the country.
On Thursday, the minister made the announcement while inaugurating four road project committees in Abuja.
He stated that the committees were formed to maintain the road and verify that the contracts agreed were carried out.
The committees will oversee the restoration of the Benin-Warri Dual Carriageway (Sections I, II, and III) and the dualisation of Rivers’ East-West route Section III: Port Harcourt (Eleme Junction) Oone Port Junction route.
“The directors in this ministry met, and we agreed to constitute a taskforce that will be resident in these locations for efficient supervision.
“They will redesign the roads to meet the site situations, and article two of the contract we signed under section 51 of the General Conditions of the contract gives us the permission and legal right to redefine the projects.
“Which means we can rescope the projects and quality, we are leveraging on that to save our people from the hardship. We will use one foot thick concrete to rebuild the road. We are already working on the bills to redefine it,” the minister said.
Umahi said the Federal Government is giving serious attention to the roads between Benin and Warri and the road between Eleme and Onne Port.
“Let me graciously announce that the ministry contacted Mr President on 260 projects that need very immediate and quick intervention across the federation.
“The projects are from the motions of the National Assembly, outcry of the public and compilations from controllers of our states and the total cost is N217 billion.
“We have sent it to Mr President and the National Assembly is aware and he has directed that we submit at FEC for discussions,” he said.
He added that the roads are key factors for revolutionising the nation’s commerce, education, security and power and that President Tinubu is committed to the nation’s road infrastructure.
Still on approval of funds, the former Ebonyi governor said the president had approved funds for the rehabilitation of the Third Mainland Bridge in Lagos.
The minister decried the failures of several parts of the East-West Road, saying, “Last week, we had a lot of failures on our East-West Road between Warri and Cross Rivers.
“We had 12 points that totally collapsed, and if we have another flood, the entire section may collapse. Three bridges totally collapsed, and we have to reconstruct all of those roads.”