The Federal Executive Council (FEC) Wednesday approved N19 billion for the construction of two roads linking Nigeria with neighbouring Niger Republic.
This was disclosed by the Minister of Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola, while briefing State House correspondents at the end of the weekly FEC meeting presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari.
“The Ministry of Works and Housing presented one memorandum for the award of two roads. The first is for the Belle/Kurdulla road in Sokoto State, to Niger Republic border at N9. 576 million to be completed in 24 months, the Road is 46 kilometres.
“The second one is for Kunya to Niger Republic border phase two, which is in Jigawa State at N19. 763.567 billion. The length of the roads is 50 kilometres and council considered and approved this memorandum on the justification made that it is critical to execute our mandate under the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan and Ministerial mandate to improve infrastructure.
“The approval was also for the enablement of business across our borders, particularly now that we have taken an affirmative position of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement and the market in that area of the country do a lot of trade across borders. So, this is a good boost for business as well,” he said.