FEC approves over ₦4.26tn road, maritime, aviation projects
The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved infrastructure projects worth over ₦4.26 trillion spanning roads, maritime safety and aviation, in one of the largest single-day approvals for transport infrastructure under the President Bola Tinubu administration.
The approvals were granted at the council meeting presided over by President Tinubu at the State House in Abuja on Monday.
The largest chunk of the approvals came from the Federal Ministry of Works, where projects valued at about ₦3.94 trillion received the council’s approval.
Speaking on behalf of the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, the Minister of Environment, Balarabe Abbas Lawal, said FEC approved four strategic maritime projects designed to modernise the nation’s port infrastructure and support the growth of the blue economy.
According to him, the council approved the procurement of two marine pollution control vessels valued at about ₦59.05 billion to combat plastic pollution and other marine waste across Nigeria’s territorial waters, creeks and inland waterways while improving environmental protection and navigational safety.
“One of the biggest issues confronting the globe is the issue of plastic pollution in oceans, lakes, rivers, and many other places. These boats are intended to address the issue of pollution in the water bodies of Nigeria, particularly in the ocean, because one of the biggest problems being confronted by shippers globally is the fact that the oceans are getting more and more polluted with plastics and many other pollutants that hinder shipping navigation,” he said.
FEC also approved the acquisition of six pilot cutter boats worth about ₦80.03 billion to facilitate the safe transportation of marine pilots to and from vessels, assist ships navigating port channels and strengthen communication between ships and the Nigerian Ports Authority.
Lawal further disclosed that the council approved the purchase of two firefighting boats valued at about ₦34.06 billion, equivalent to approximately $16 million, to improve emergency response to fires involving ships, oil terminals, waterfront facilities and other critical port infrastructure.
The council equally approved ₦112.85 billion for the capital and maintenance dredging of the Escravos Channel through a joint venture involving the Nigerian Ports Authority and private sector partners.
According to the minister, the dredging project will improve navigability, remove underwater obstructions, strengthen pollution monitoring, maintain navigational aids and enhance maritime safety in line with international maritime standards.
He said the projects would improve operational efficiency at Nigeria’s ports, strengthen environmental sustainability and reinforce the Federal Government’s commitment to unlocking the enormous economic potential of the country’s blue economy.
