The Federal Government has earmarked N4 billion for the rehabilitation of the chaotic Apapa-Oshodi expressway out of the N165.3 billion it has proposed to spend on new infrastructural projects in fiscal year 2016.
This is in addition to about N1.3 billion also being set aside for the construction of new access roads to Apapa/Tin can NNPC depots, Atlas Cove to Mile 2, among others.
The renewed attention on the Apapa-Oshodi at a time that intense grid-lock on that road continues to eat deep into productive hours for businesses and commuters who use that axis is seen as a big relief.
Meanwhile, the Federal Government has proposed to spend about N165.3 billion on new projects out of the N282.4 billion total capital budgeted for Ministry of Power, Works and Housing.
The spending would be for the construction of roads, provision of houses, electricity and railway, as contained in the 2016 appropriation bill seen by BusinessDay.
Among the projects, are rehabilitation of Lagos/ Shagamu Ibadan dual carriage way, sections 1 & 2 for N66 billion; rehabilitation of Third Mainland Bridge and underwater works for N34.2 million and repair of Enugu/Port Harcourt dual carriage way sections 1,2,3 & 4 for the sum of N13.2 billion.
As contained in the 2016 budget proposal, the Federal Ministry of Works, Power and Housing before the National Assembly (NASS), new electricity projects will gulp about N20.6 billion.
About N57.7 billion has been slated to be spent on the construction of houses, N86.6 billion for new roads, while N256 million is for railway projects.
Babatunde Fashola, Minister for Works, Housing and Power, who is facing the tough challenge of delivering massive infrastructure that would spur jobs and drive growth, had during his maiden media briefing, announced the Federal Government plans to give priority to roads.
Fashola signalled that emphasis would be laid on those roads that would boost the nation’s economy.
He also disclosed plans to build houses, especially with partnership with state governors. About 1,973 blocks of 7,068 housing units are being targeted to be built in the geopolitical zones and including the Federal Capital Territory with the N57.7 billion.
In the ministry’s budget, about N117.1 billion was also allocated for repairs and rehabilitation of existing projects.
The budget also indicated proposals to repair defense equipment, military barracks, including air navigation equipment.
About N111.7 billion is being earmarked for road repairs, N601.2 million for railway rehabilitation ,while waterways repair is expected to cost N2.5 billion.
Other rehabilitation projects as seen in the ministry’s project, include airport/aerodromes (N634.9 million), defense equipment (N650 million), recreation facilities ((N377.2 million), Air navigational equipment (N292.3 million) and Defense barracks (N367.7 million).
Meanwhile, the ministry is allegedly owing contractors over N250 billion. It was gathered that if the ministry is to pay the outstanding debts from the new budget, it would be insufficient to complete existing projects much less embark on new ones.
For projects completed but awaiting payment, different amounts have been allocated for major economic routes, including Onitsha and Enugu
N173.4 million; Onitsha and Owerri N102.8 million; as well as Major link between Lagos and Ogun State N115.9 million.
Other completed projects awaiting payments include N77 million, N161.2 million and N95.7m.
