The federal executive council has allocated N493 billion for two major infrastructure projects, the construction of a new Carter Bridge in Lagos and the upgrade of the 152-kilometre Kano-Katsina road.
Gatekeepers News reports that Minister of Works David Umahi explained after the council meeting that rising economic costs have significantly increased the budget for the Kano-Katsina road.
Initially split into two sections, the 74.1-kilometre first section, awarded in 2013 for N14 billion and later revised to N24 billion, will now cost N68 billion.
The 79.5-kilometre second section, awarded in 2019 for N29 billion and revised to N46 billion, has been further adjusted to N66.115 billion, bringing the total cost to about N134 billion. Funding allocations for both sections will span the 2024 and 2025 budgets.
On the Carter Bridge, Umahi cited findings from underwater assessments in 2013 and 2019, which revealed severe structural damage from illegal sand mining, erosion, and corrosion.
The Contractor, Julius Berger determined the bridge could not be repaired and recommended a complete replacement.
