FG Approves N29.2bn for Two Roads Leading to Niger Borders

• FG Approves N29.2bn for Two Roads Leading to Niger Borders

The Federal Executive Council (FEC), presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari, on Wednesday approved N29.9 billion for two road contracts linking Nigeria’s borders with the Republic of Niger.

A total of N19.7 billion was approved for the Kurnya-Niger Republic border road that passes through Jigawa State.

While another N9.5 billion was approved for the Bale-Kurdella-Niger Republic border that passes through Sokoto State and terminates at the Nigerian border with Niger.

Commenting on the two contracts, the Minister of Works/Housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola, SAN, explained that the two roads would promote business across the borders and better position the nation for the African Continental Free Trade Area Agreement.

The minister said, “It is not only critical to execute our mandate under the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan and ministerial mandate to improve infrastructure, but also for the enablement of business across borders particularly now that we have taken an affirmative position of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement.

“The market in that area of the country (Nigeria/Niger borders) does a lot of trade across borders. So, this is a good boost for business as well.”

The project, however, is not with controversies as some Nigerians complained it would not serve the nation’s interest with the current security challenges it faced with neighbouring nations.

The council also approved N1.2 billion for two projects in the Ministry of Aviation.