The administration of President Bola Tinubu has inherited 38 uncompleted road projects valued at N979bn from the previous government led by Muhammadu Buhari, according to recent findings. These projects were identified through an analysis of the 2023 budget and cross-referenced with the national monitoring and evaluation platform, EYEMARK. Despite assurances from Buhari that the roads would be completed before the end of his tenure, many key road networks remain unfinished due to revenue constraints and other challenges.
Among the notable projects left incomplete are the expansion of the Abuja-Keffi dual carriageway, the dualization of the Keffi-Akwanga-Lafia-Makurdi road in Nasarawa State, the Benue State Phase 1, Lafia bypass, 9th mile (Enugu)-Otukpo-Makurdi Road in Enugu and Benue States Phase II, and the rehabilitation of the Ikorodu-Shagamu Road including the access road to Mosimi in Lagos State. The list also includes the development of the Federal Capital Territory Highway 105 (Kuje Road) and the dualization of the Akure-Ado Ekiti Road in Ondo/Ekiti states.
Notably, the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, which is currently being handled by Julius Berger Nigeria Plc and RCC, is reported to be at 85% completion after experiencing prolonged construction that has caused significant hardships for motorists and commuters.
The Director of Highways South-West, Adedamola Kuti, reassured that all outstanding projects would be completed, emphasizing the commitment of the new administration to finishing what was left unfinished.
Regarding payments to local contractors, the 2023 budget allocated N25bn for this purpose, but it falls short of the N11tn owed to local contractors by successive administrations. The delayed payment is attributed to the ongoing harmonization of figures with the finance ministry, and no specific timeframe has been provided for when the contractors will receive payment.
While there is a freeze on financial transactions for ministries, departments, and agencies, payments to contractors involved in ongoing road projects are still being made as they fall under the capital vote and are directly funded by the federal government.
Efforts to obtain a response from the Ministry of Works and Housing’s spokesperson, Mrs. Blessing Adams-Lere, were unsuccessful at the time of publication.
