Abuja – The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved N75billion for the reconstruction of the dualized Lokoja-Okene-Benin Road, specifically extending from Obajana Junction in Kogi State to Benin, the capital of Edo State.
The approval was given during the FEC meeting held in Abuja on Wednesday .
The meeting was presided over by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo
The approval was given to cover section 2 of the road from Okene-Auchi, section three from Auchi – Ehor and section four from Ehor – Benin at the cost of N25 billion each.
The approved proposal was captured in the memo for the reconstruction of select federal roads under the Federal Government Road Infrastructure Development and Refurbishment Investment Tax Credit Scheme Phase 2 by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited.
Addressing newsmen after the meeting, the
Minister of State for Budget and National Planning, Prince Clem Agba, expressed his heartfelt gratitude to President Muhammadu Buhari for the approval.
Agba further thanked the President for also approving N64 billion for the Benin-Warri Dual Carriageway.
He said the President deserved commendation by the good people of Edo State and South-South for including the roads in the Road Infrastructure Development and Refurbishment Investment Tax Credit Scheme Phase 2.
“The Lokoja-Benin road is a critical asset that links the entire South-south zone to the Northern part of the country.
” It is also an ongoing project with contractors already on ground to resume and/or continue work once they are mobilized,” he said
Agba singled out the Minister of Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Fasola, for his commitment and contribution towards securing both presidential and FEC approvals at the FEC meeting on Wednesday, January 18, 2023 for the road projects that begin from Edo State and terminate in Kogi and Delta States.