Essential Ndubuisi
The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved the revised sum of N49 billion for the Enugu-Onitsha Road project. This was disclosed by the Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, after the FEC meeting on Wednesday in Abuja, which was presided over by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.
Fashola explained that his ministry sought and obtained two approvals from the council. The first approval was for the revision of the contract cost for the old Enugu-Onitsha road project from Opi junction all the way to Udi-Oji to Anambra border in Enugu state. The augmentation was in the sum of N17 billion, which revised the contract sum to N49 billion with an additional completion time of 42 months.
The second contract approved by FEC was for the maintenance of the pavement of the Third Mainland Bridge, which is in consonance with the Executive Order 11 signed by the President for the continued maintenance of public infrastructure. The contract, which was approved in the sum of N6.3 billion for a period of 24 months, will address public concerns on the presence of potholes on the bridge.
Fashola said that the maintenance work was critical to the structural integrity of the bridge, as it would restore the driving surface and the aesthetics. He added that the project would tackle the issues of rails that have been stolen and planes that have misaligned at the ramps that lead on and off the bridge.
The Minister emphasized the importance of the maintenance works, stating that they would restore the structural integrity of the bridge and ensure that it remains safe for commuters.
