Lagos State benefited from major project approvals by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) running into N3.9 trillion, representing 111 per cent of the combined sum of N3.56trn approved for the South East, North West and North East with 18 states altogether in the last two years of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration, Daily Trust analysis has shown.

Findings by Daily Trust revealed that during the period under review, FEC approved projects worth N5.97trn for the South West, N2.41trn for the South South, N407.49bn for the South East, N1.15trn for the North Central (including Abuja), N2.7trn for the North West and N403.98bn for the North East.

About N2.70trn was approved for legacy road projects that cut across regions, but without a breakdown of the contract sum specified, bringing the total sum of contracts the FEC awarded to about N15.79trn.

President Tinubu, who doubles as the FEC Chairman, hails from Lagos in the South West.

One of the major recent approvals for Lagos is the full rehabilitation, upgrade and modernization of International Terminal One at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, at a cost of N712bn.

The present administration has been accused of marginalizing one section of the country in favour of the other. Some groups, especially the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), have at various times accused the president of taking more infrastructural development and appointments to the South than the North. Some have also noted that Lagos has been enjoying the president?s patronage at the expense of others.

But speaking with Weekend Trust yesterday, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, dismissed claims that President Tinubu?s administration is favouring Lagos and the South West in the distribution of capital projects and federal appointments. He maintained that the spread of infrastructure projects under the Renewed Hope Agenda has been equitable across the six geopolitical zones. He also rejected allegations of nepotism in federal appointments, insisting that the president has maintained a pan-Nigerian outlook in both policy and governance.

?The distribution of capital projects under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is being equitably implemented. No region is playing second fiddle. All six regions have a regional development commission to re-kickstart development efforts. While the coastal highway courses through the South, the Badagry-Sokoto Highway traverses the North. In addition, the Tinubu administration has secured funding for light rail projects in Kano and Kaduna states to the tune of N150 billion and N100 billion, respectively. The metroline projects, which include Lagos and Ogun states, are part of government efforts to develop Nigeria?s light rail infrastructure. The projects are expected to create over 250,000 jobs across various states?, he said.

Some analysts also pointed out that Lagos should get more projects as it generates the bulk of the money from taxes, among others.

FEDERAL EXECUTIVE COUNCIL (FEC)

Major FEC approvals for Lagos, other South West states

In August, the FEC approved N712.26bn for the full rehabilitation, upgrade, and modernisation of International Terminal One at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos. The approval was part of the centrepiece of N900bn aviation infrastructure plan for the country.

Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo (SAN), disclosed this while addressing newsmen after the FEC meeting. Keyamo said the project, awarded to China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC), would strip the old terminal down to its structural core before rebuilding it with new mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems.

?We have decided to strip it down to only the carcass and then do the complete M&E again,? Keyamo said, emphasising the administration?s departure from patchwork repairs towards comprehensive overhaul of key aviation facilities.

The FEC also approved the expansion of Terminal Two, including the construction of a new apron, access roads, bridges, and related works.

When combined with the Terminal One project, the total cost of all Lagos-related airport works amounted to N712.26bn, making it one of the most significant single investments in Nigeria?s aviation sector in recent years.

In a move to improve security at the Lagos airport, the council also approved N49.9bn perimeter fencing project. The 14.6-kilometre metal fence will feature an intrusion detection system, CCTV cameras, solar-powered floodlights, and a patrol road.

According to the minister, the security enhancements will include a modern command centre capable of detecting any movement near the fence in real-time.

The reconstruction of Carter Bridge in Lagos was also approved for N359bn, while the shoreline at Ebute-Ero/Outer Marina in Lagos would be rebuilt for N176.495bn to arrest ?severe coastal erosion threatening military and naval bases.?

The council equally approved N1.6trn for the construction of 55km Section 2 of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, extending from the Lekki deep seaport, where Section 1 ends, to the Ogun border.

In August, the FEC approved N13bn compensation on right-of-way acquisitions under the Lagos Industrial Transmission Project. Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, told journalists at the State House, Abuja, after the FEC meeting, that the measures aim to modernise ageing transmission infrastructure, improve supply reliability, and meet rising electricity demand nationwide. He said the project would be funded through a $238 million development loan from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

The project, he said, was targeted at boosting supply to key industrial clusters in Lagos, which account for a large share of Nigeria?s manufacturing output.

In February 2024, the council approved N1.06trn for the construction of Section 1 of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway from Victoria Island to Eleko Village in the Lekki Peninsula. In May 2024, it approved the supply, installation and training of operators of the disabled aircraft recovery system at Murtala Muhammed Airport in Lagos at a cost of N4.2bn.

Aside from the projects based in Lagos, the council also approved constructions across other southwestern states. These include Abeokuta-Ajibo and Iyana Mosa roads in Ogun State, awarded at N10.89bn; Ijebu-Ibutita Ebe Road in Ogun, for N13bn; Ikorodu-Shagamu Road, for N27.59bn; Lagos-Ibadan Expressway (Phase 2, Section 1), with N195bn approval to undergo reconstruction under the Presidential Infrastructure Development Fund (PIDF), and the remaining sections of Lagos-Ibadan Road awarded for N30bn.

Others are Atan-Alapoti-Ado-Odo Road in Ogun at N37.045bn; Afe Babalola University Access Road (Ekiti), revised to 14.4km at N9.32bn; Ado-Ekiti?Igede Road Project at N5.4bn; variation of the dualisation project on Akure-Eta-Ogbese-Iju-Ekiti border to Ikere-Ado-Ekiti road in Ondo and Ekiti states at N19.407bn; the Lagos Calabar Coastal highway Section 4A and 4B between Ogun and Ondo, covering 80.53km for N1.65tn and the construction of the remaining 96km stretch of the Benin-Shagamu-Ore road in the South West axis awarded at a cost of N187bn.

Approved projects for South South

Critical projects worth N2.41trn were approved in the South South. In February, the Minister of Works, David Umahi, confirmed that the council had approved N1.334trn for the construction of Sections 3A and 3B of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, connecting Cross River and Akwa Ibom states. The project is expected to boost regional connectivity and economic activity along Nigeria?s coastal corridor. He added that the Council approved N470.9bn for the Delta State access road to the Second Niger Bridge.

The council also approved the rehabilitation of the Odukpani Junction-Apeti section of Calabar-Ikom-Ogoja Road in Cross River State for N26.335bn; Nembe-Brass Road, N156bn; rehabilitation of runway and taxiway lighting at Obafemi Jeremiah Awolowo International Airport, Port Harcourt, N42.14bn; Port Harcourt?Bodo?Bonny Road for N200bn as well as equalisation of Lokoja-Benin Road, Okpela Section, Dualised Auchi Section-Uromi Link Road and Ekpoma Section to be financed by BUA Cement at a cost of N120bn under the tax credit scheme and the reconstruction of Section 2 of the Lokoja-Benin (Auchi to Edo) at N64bn.

South East

So far, major contracts worth N407.49bn have been approved for the region by the FEC. They are the Inoma-Iyaka-Abaji Section of the Ibaji-Odulu-Ajibu road in Anambra State at a cost of N9.33bn; the Umuahia-Ituano-Ikot Ekpene Road in Abia State, at N14.37bn, the Anambra State access road to the Second Niger Bridge at N148bn; the rehabilitation of the Onitsha-Owerri Expressway for N22bn; and the construction of the Abakaliki-Afikpo Flyover in Ebonyi State, valued at N25bn to improve traffic flow in the area.

Others are Nkomoro-Isu Road straddling Enugu and Ebonyi states at N14.49bn; Aba-Owerri Road Dualisation via Ikot Ekpene Border, for N11.55bn and the rescoping and continuation of the Enugu-Onitsha 77km road project for N150bn, partly funded by MTN under a tax credit scheme and aimed at enhancing connectivity and economic activities in the region. Abia and Enugu state road projects got N12.75bn in a joint project that will focus on key sections to address long-standing infrastructure gaps.

North Central

During the period under review, FEC allocated projects worth N1.15trn to the North Central. The council approved N286bn for Section 1 of Abuja Road, covering 118km and Section 2 of 164km at N502bn.

It also approved the upgrade of Kwaita-Yebu Road in Kuala Area Council of Abuja for N7.6bn; rehabilitation of Old Keffi Road (Kado Village to Dei Dei) at N26.87bn; Kuje-Gwagwalada dual carriageway construction at N7.49bn; construction of access road to Renewed Hope Cities and Estates (Kasana West District) in the sum of N31.66 bn; a contract of N412m street lights on Bill Clinton Drive, Airport Expressway and Maraba?Keffi Road construction in Nasarawa, at N76bn.

Others are Koton-Karfe-Abaji Road along Abuja-Lokoja route in Kogi State at a cost of N89bn; bus terminals at Kugbo, Abuja Central Business District and Mabushi, for N51bn; building of the Court of Appeal Abuja Division for N37.2bn; design changes in Niger State (binder crossing and a new strand bridge) for N8.94bn and Agaie-Katcha-Baro Road, also in Niger, for N22bn.

North West

In the North West, the council approved major projects worth N2.75trn. They include construction of a 258km carriageway of Sokoto-Badagry Expressway in Kebbi for N940.7bn in August 2024; the second carriageway of 228km for N961bn in August 2025, and an additional 120km awarded for N456bn in Sokoto.

It also approved the rehabilitation and expansion of Tiga Dam in Kano at N11.83bn; Wusasa-Jos route (Kaduna State) at N18bn to enhance road safety and reduce travel time between Kaduna and Plateau states; rehabilitation of Shalagua Gorge Dam at N7.47bn; Kafinciri Irrigation Project at N7.4bn; Kano-Katsina road upgrade at N134 billion and a N230bn contract to build the Kano Bypass.

North East

Major approvals by the FEC for the North East were estimated at N403.98bn. These are the Maiduguri-Monguno Road to be constructed ?30 kilometres at a time,? starting with N21bn for the first phase. The approval was given in May.

In February, the FEC approved N80bn for the reconstruction of Alau Dam in Borno State, following the severe flooding in Maiduguri and environs. Joseph Utsev, the Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, spoke at the end of the FEC meeting.

Utsev said the Borno State government was partnering with the federal government to commence the project.

FEC also approved the deployment of 10,000 electric vehicles, worth N151.9bn, to the North-East. Presidential spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, announced on his X handle that the council had approved contracts worth almost $100 million, or N151.9bn, to supply buses and tricycles and establish charging infrastructure for electric vehicles.

In May, after the FEC meeting, the Minister of Works made several approvals in the road and infrastructure sector. ?One of them was in Gombe, in the North-East with the rehabilitation of the Cham-Numan section of Gombe-Yola Road in Adamawa State, which has been re-scoped into phases and awarded N9.253bn to CGC for the first phase,? the minister announced.

In August, the council approved revisions and fresh disbursements for several other major roads. These include the Biu?Numa Road in Borno and Adamawa states, revised from N15.4bn to N61.76bn. Also listed were the Kashamu?Amshi?Guru?Gurus Road in Yobe State, revised to N23.4bn for binder layers and a new vehicle bridge.

Other approvals for the zone include the Aakalari-Ukuk Road in Bauchi State, with Phase 1 awarded at N11.278bn.

There is also Wukari-Akwana Road in Taraba State for N12.615bn, Gashua-Bayamari Road (Section 2), Yobe State, for N9.68 billion, Yola-Fufure Road in Adamawa State for N11.81bn and Amido Road in Taraba State for N7.68bn.

There are also FEC-approved legacy projects worth N2.70trn that traverse regions. They include a variation of N11.42bn approved for the project completion of Lagos?Shagamu?Ijebu-Ode?Ore road, $651.7m (N1.05trn) awarded for the 7th?Axial Road linking the Lekki Deep-Sea Port to Sagamu-Ore and Trans-Saharan Highway Section 1 (Ebonyi State to Benue border), revised from 180 km to 231.64 km at a cost of N445.8bn.

Others are construction of ultra-modern bus terminals across the six geopolitical zones at a cost of N142.02bn, Kaduna-Jos Road (Phase 1) in Kaduna and Plateau states, at N33.423bn, 72km of Abuja-Kano road at N450bn, the reconstruction of three sections of the Lokoja-Benin road from Obajana to Benin (Section I) at N305bn; Benin Airport area (Section III), at N131bn and rehabilitation of the terminated Kano-Maiduguri Road contract, reassigned at a cost of N128.395bn.

Terminal one of the Murtala Mohammed International Airport Lagos

A public analyst, Iliyasu Gadu, said that Lagos receiving preferential treatment is not strange because it is the economic hub of Nigeria and even West Africa. He, however, noted that other parts of the country should not be relegated.

Commenting on the alleged marginalisation, Gadu said, ?Even though the presidency has dismissed it as inaccurate or not the situation, the facts speak for themselves. You can look at the allocation of resources in terms of projects and other things. So, I think it?s not something to dispute.

?You also have a lot of projects that, even if those projects went to other parts of the country, they emanate from Lagos. I mean, they start from Lagos. If you look at the Lagos-Calabar Coastal road, part of it starts from Lagos. It?s going to cover a huge chunk of Lagos State.

?Look at Lagos-Badagry-Sokoto, the renovation of the airport and the Third Mainland Bridge, this is not to say that you should deny Lagos the infrastructure that it needs, because it?s the number one economic hub of the country.

?We recognise Lagos in that respect, because truly, about one quarter of Nigeria?s economy is in Lagos, and Lagos has traditionally played the role of the economic hub of Nigeria, and to some extent, West Africa.

?Lagos deserves it, but that?s not to say that other people, other parts of the country, do not deserve good things. It seems a great proportion of the loans the government is taking are going to Lagos and it?s not fair to the other parts of the country that also need development.?

Reactions trail approvals

Speaking on the development, a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Timothy Osadolor, called on President Tinubu to make himself a Nigerian president instead of serving the interest of only ?one section?.

He said when it comes to the issue of federal character and distribution of political patronage, whether in infrastructure or government positions, the president should see beyond the Yoruba nation, adding that ?whatever he gives out to non-Yoruba are more or less like leftovers?.

Osadolor, a member of the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the PDP said it?s time people told President Tinubu the truth, urging him to ?respect the fact that there are over 350 ethnic groups, therefore, he should respect the sensibilities of the people and respect the Nigerian constitution which recognises federal character in distribution of appointments and all others.?

Osadolor added; ?So, I want to call on him; it?s not too late to realise that he?s a Pan-Nigerian leader and he should leave and walk the talk. He?s sworn to the office to defend and promote the interests of all ethnic groups in all parts of Nigeria and not one part of Nigeria.

?People have said it in private corridors, in public spaces and online and other media spaces. But I want to urge those who have access to the president because he has said he does not read what is on social media anymore because people have abused him too much. We are calling on him to do what is needful to become a Nigerian president,? he added.

Also weighing in on the matter, civil rights activist, Auwal Rafsanjani, said marginalisation has become commonplace with every administration, urging the government to put in place measures for equitable distribution of resources.

Rafsanjani, who is the Executive Director of the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre in Abuja, noted that given Nigeria?s diverse political interests, it is important for any government to be conscious of fairness in the distribution of resources and appointments to foster political stability.

He said it is unfortunate that we have a parasite system that is out to ?steal money, so they don?t invest in harnessing the resources, both human and natural resources, to bring out the necessary development possible.?

He added, ?That is why this issue of marginalisation is always there. The federal government is also carrying too much power at the centre, and that is what is leading to this. If you have a system where states can even support the federal government, you will not be hearing all these things. You can imagine if each state has a development plan, industrialisation plan that will support productivity, why will people complain??

Speaking on the approval of Lagos airport rehabilitation, Rafsanjani said every money is supposed to be captured by the National Assembly, saying, ?they are spending this money, which is a violation of our laws, because this whole airport renovation that the minister of aviation is talking about, there was no conversation about it. In the National Assembly, no budgetary allocation, so where did they get the money? They are taking the law into their own hands.? (Weekend Trust)

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