The Federal Executive Council (FEC) on Wednesday approved the sum of ₦740 billion allocation for the Berger section of the Abuja-Kano highway.
This announcement was made by the Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, during a press briefing at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, following a meeting chaired by President Bola Tinubu.
Umahi emphasized the government’s strategy to tackle the existing backlog of infrastructure projects.
He said the Abuja-Kano road, previously slated for a tax credit arrangement, will now be procured without such a provision, with the 162-kilometre Berger section already approved for N740 billion.
To manage the backlog, he said the Ministry of Works had initiated a phased approach to project completion based on available funding.
He said key examples included the phasing of the Biu-Kangiwa-Kamba-Kaya Niger Republic road in Kebbi State, the Yola-Hong-Mubi road in Adamawa State, and the Kachako-Dambazua road in Kano State.
FEC further approved advanced payment mechanisms to combat inflation and rising costs driven by fluctuating exchange rates and petroleum prices, he said.
Umahi said, “We presented a memo to FEC that where there is proof of funds, there is available funds, the Procurement Act allows MDAs to pay a maximum of 30 per cent advance payments.
