The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved contracts worth over N660 billion for critical road projects across the country, as well as key health interventions to improve access to essential medicines and diagnostic equipment.
Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, disclosed this on Wednesday after the council’s meeting at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. He revealed that 13 contracts were awarded to rehabilitate, rescope, and complete major highways inherited from the previous administration.
Among the major approvals is the N198 billion construction of a new road linking Zaria, Hunkuyi, Kolmani, Danbali, Maraba, Kanya, Subawa, and Kasa in Kaduna and Katsina states. The project, awarded to Mothercat Nigeria Limited, is expected to be completed in 36 months.
Other key projects include the N128.4 billion Kano-Wudil-Shuari section of the Kano-Maiduguri road, the N39.49 billion Bida-Lambatta road in Niger State, and the N11.28 billion Alkaleri-Ukuk road in Bauchi State.
Additional approvals were granted for the rehabilitation of the Aba-Ikot Ekpene road, Ilogu road in Kwara and Osun states, and shoreline protection works in Lagos, where the Outer Marina project was increased from N144 billion to N176 billion to safeguard military and rail infrastructure from erosion.
Umahi emphasized that all projects have been revised and phased to ensure efficient use of funds, with priority placed on completing existing works before new ones are started.
Meanwhile, the council is also considering raising the procurement thresholds for ministries, departments, and agencies to reduce contract-related memos at FEC meetings and focus more on policy discussions.
In the health sector, FEC approved N10.3 billion for critical supplies, including N997 million for third-line antiretroviral drugs to treat HIV patients who have developed resistance to previous medications.
Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Ali Pate, said an additional N2 billion was approved for the procurement of locally produced diabetes diagnostic kits, while N4.5 billion will go towards antibiotics, antihypertensive, and antidiabetic medicines under the Medical Relief Programme to support vulnerable Nigerians.
Pate also announced the approval of N2.1 billion for a mobile X-ray machine and rehabilitation of a CT scanner at Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital in Bauchi State, aimed at improving diagnostic services.
The health interventions are part of broader government efforts to reduce dependency on imports, support local pharmaceutical production, and improve public health outcomes.
