President Bola Tinubu's administration has taken on the challenge of completing 38 road projects left unfinished by the previous Muhammadu Buhari government, according to recent findings. The projects, with a total worth of N979 billion, were identified through a thorough analysis of the 2023 budget and verified using the national monitoring and evaluation platform, EYEMARK, which was launched by Buhari in December of the previous year.
Despite promises made by the former President to ensure the completion of these roads before the end of his tenure, various crucial road networks were left half-done due to financial constraints and other obstacles. Among the significant projects requiring attention is the expansion of the Abuja-Keffi dual carriageway and the dualization of the Keffi-Akwanga-Lafia-Makurdi road in Nasarawa State.
Several other key projects remain incomplete, such as the Benue State Phase 1, Lafia bypass, and 9th mile (Enugu)-Otukpo-Makurdi Road in Enugu and Benue States Phase II, estimated to cost around N32.5 billion. Additionally, there is the rehabilitation of the Ikorodu-Shagamu Road, including the access road to Mosimi in Lagos State, which carries a price tag of N100 million. The full scope development of Federal Capital Territory Highway 105 (Kuje Road) from the airport expressway to the outer Southern Expressway with Spur at Kyami District is valued at N54.95 billion.
The dualization of the Akure-Ado Ekiti Road in Ondo/Ekiti states is projected to cost N90 billion. Other unfinished road projects include the dualization of Obajana Junction to Benin phase 2: Section 11 (Okene to Auchi) with a budget of N5 billion. Furthermore, there is the construction of Bichi township roads (N1.40 billion), Dawakin Tofa-Gwarzo-Dayi Road in Kano (N2 billion), and the 5.4km Abuja-Keffi Expressway, along with the 220km Keffi-Akwanga-Lafia-Makurdi federal roads in the North-Central geo-political zone, which were awarded for N166.36 billion.
Additional projects in need of attention are the Keffi-Akwanga-Lafia road project valued at N101.1 billion, the Chanchangi bridge along the Takum-Wukari road in Taraba State costing N100 million, the dualization of the Jattu-Fugar-Agenebode road, and the reconstruction of the Irekpa-Fugar-Agenebode road in Edo State amounting to N250 million.
Furthermore, the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, managed by Julius Berger Nigeria Plc and RCC, has reportedly cost approximately N315 billion. Although the 126.6km road is said to be 85% complete, the prolonged construction period has inflicted significant hardships on motorists and commuters who endure extensive traffic delays on a daily basis.
The allocation of N400 million has been made for the construction of the Bidda-Sacci-Nupeko road and the Nupeko/Patigi bridge across the River Niger, connecting Nupeko and Patigi in Niger/Kwara States.
President Bola Tinubu's administration faces the challenging task of completing these road projects, aiming to alleviate the burden on motorists and improve transportation infrastructure across the country.
