The Federal Government is set to embark on an extensive road infrastructure development initiative, planning the rehabilitation and construction of 1,925 roads and highways nationwide in the 2024 budget proposal.

In the 2024 budget, an allocation of N548.56 billion has been earmarked for roads construction.

Specifically, the East-West and Benin-Akure roads are set to receive N2 billion and N3.75 billion, respectively.

ALSO READ: Nigerians advised against traveling abroad without proper documentation

This allocation is in addition to the N288.44 billion allocated for the modernization of 329 roads and bridges in the 2023 supplementary budget.

When combining the road projects from the 2023 supplementary budget and the 2024 proposal, the government is anticipated to spend a total of N837 billion on the construction and rehabilitation of 2,254 roads and bridges during the 2023 and 2024 fiscal years.

Under the Ministry of Works, the budget outlines a provision of N1.05 billion for the removal of overgrown vegetation on federal roads.

The analysis of the 2024 budget, named “Budget of Renewed Hope,” also indicates a budgetary allocation of N3.19 billion for the purchase of 50 motor vehicles.

Notable road projects in the plan include the rehabilitation of Kabba-Ayere-Isua-Ipele road in Kogi and Ondo states (N2.14 billion), the construction of Ikot Ekpene border Aba-Owerri dual road (N1 billion), dualisation of Lagos-Otta road (N1 billion), and counterpart funding of N8.2 billion for the Lafia bypass and 9th mile Enugu-Makurdi road.

Other allocations encompass the Kano-Maiduguri Road Section IV, Potiskum-Damaturu Road (N2.1 billion), dualisation of Aba-Ikot Ekpene road in Abia/Akwa Ibom states (N1.41 billion), rehabilitation of Odukpani junction-Akpet central section-Ikom-Ogoja road in Cross River State (N1.1 billion), and several culverts and drainage projects in flood-prone areas across different zones.

Additionally, the Federal Road Maintenance Agency is set to receive N66.702 billion for the repair and maintenance of federal roads and bridges, with N1 billion allocated for the construction of the agency’s corporate headquarters.

ALSO READ: $1.4 billion funding secured by 321,867 SMEs over six years – World bank

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Works has urged owed contractors to submit relevant documents between December 12 and December 22, 2023.

The ministry acknowledged inheriting a substantial debt of N1.5 trillion from unpaid certificates of road projects and has established committees to review these outstanding debts and related matters, aiming to address the financial challenges inherited from the previous administration.