Business
2021 budget: FG to prioritise Lagos-Ibadan, Abuja-Kaduna-Kano roads, 2nd Niger Bridge, others

By Dada Jackson
Minister of Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola, says the Federal Government will focus on the completion of ongoing road and bridge projects in the country rather than beginning new ones, in the implementation of the 2021 Budget.
He listed the road projects as Lagos-Ibadan, Abuja-Kaduna-Kano, 2nd Niger Bridge, Ilorin-Jebba, Jega-Tambuwal-Sokoto and Enugu-Port Harcourt, among others.
Fashola, in a statement made available to News Trends, spoke during the defense of his ministry’s proposals in the 2021 budget.
He listed roads whose completion would be prioritised during the budget year to include those categoriszed as A1-A9, adding that 18 of such road projects, which had reached appreciable level of completion had been identified across the country for completion within 12 to 15 months include those leading to the ports and major agricultural hubs across the six geopolitical zones of the country adding that the decision to prioritise those projects was in line with the mandate of President Muhammadu Buhari, whom, he recalled repeatedly emphasized the necessity to focus the Budget on completion of projects.
According to him, other categories of road and bridge projects on which the ministry will focus for completion during the budget year also include those that have attained 70 per cent completion, adding that subject to the availability of funds, such projects would be completed as early as possible.
He pointed out that some bridges which connect several geopolitical zones and Federal roads had not been maintained for several years before this administration.
Fashola added that some of the bridges required replacement of expansion joints and hand rails while others required major underwater repairs of exposed piles, pile caps and piers.
“Bridges like the Third Mainland Bridge, the Koton Karfe Bridge and the Makurdi Bridge are part of about 50 bridges being rehabilitated simultaneously among others,” he said.
He also said the ministry had its focus on the completion of the construction of Chanchangi Bridge along Takum-Wukari Road in Taraba State and Ikom Bridge along Calabar-Ikom Road.
Expressing the need for the support of the National Assembly in realizing the stated objectives, Fashola, who put the estimated cost of rehabilitating all the bridges at N80.984bn, however, pointed out that there was a need, in the course of each year, to address wash-outs and erosion envisaged with the subsiding discharge of flood waters nationwide.
“We are mindful of the limitation of resources but the frequency of these natural disasters caused by climate change and aging infrastructure must compel us to think of making provisions for emergencies”, he said, adding that the international best practice for such emergencies was between five and 10 per cent of the capital budget.
Fashola, who said the ministry had selected two roads and a bridge in each of the six geopolitical zones for enhanced funding during the budget year, also listed for adequate funding the Federal Government of Nigeria’s counterpart fund for projects financed by the China Exim bank.
On the ministry’s interventions on internal roads in federal tertiary institutions across the country, the minister, who said out of the 43 such projects 18 had been completed, explained that inadequate budgetary provisions had stalled the projects which, according to him, the ministry started since 2018/2019.
He stated that the 17.35 per cent cut in the 2020 budget made it impossible to pay contractors who were being owed N3.31bn while the money required to fix the remainder was given as N3.54bn.
Reiterating that the major challenge of the ministry in completing ongoing projects on time was inadequate budgetary provisions, the minister explained further that aside from the fact that the funds were inadequate, there was also the problem of timely release of funds to sustain annual cash flow requirement level adding that although funds from the Presidential Infrastructure Development Fund (PIDF) and SUKUK Bond had helped to bring some funding relief, the ministry’s exposure had continued to expand due to annual addition of new projects.
He said although the sum provided for highway projects in the 2021 budget was an improvement over the 2020 budget provision for the sector, it was still inadequate to address the funding challenges of highway projects pointing out that with about N1.2tn as the year 2021 projected cash flow requirement, funding for works planned to be executed on the projects in 2021 would have to be “efficiently optimised”.
Fashola said in order for his ministry to make significant impact on the improvement of the federal road network and boost the nation’s economy, there was an urgent need to enhance the release of funds for the projects under the Amended 2020 Budget to defray the outstanding payments; enhance budget ceiling for highway projects in the 2021 budget proposal to cover the execution of works during the year and leverage other alternative funding sources as well as make provision for emergencies to enable government to respond to damage and destruction caused by natural disasters, climate change and other unforeseen events.
The alternative funds, he explained, included the Presidential Infrastructure Development Fund (PIDF), which is being used to rehabilitate, reconstruct and expand the Lagos-Shagamu-Ibadan Dual Carriage way, Construction of Second Niger Bridge and rehabilitation of Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano Dual Carriageway.
They also include the Sukuk Bond being used to fund a total of 44 road and bridge projects, which are mainly dual carriageways on major arterial routes A1-A9 on the Federal road network using the 2020 Sovereign Sukuk Issuance and Tax Credit Scheme being used in the construction of Bodo-Bonny Bridge across Opobo Channel in Rivers State and the construction/rehabilitation of Lokoja-Obajana-Kabba-Ilorin Road Section II in Kwara and Kogi States, among others.
On the issue of delay in project completion raised by committee members during the interactive session, the minister said aside the twin challenges of inadequate funding and delayed releases, there was also the fact that some of the roads carry heavy traffic which had to be managed while construction, reconstruction or rehabilitation was going on.
Fashola said it was necessary to put some measures in place for the safety of both the workers and commuters.
The minister told the lawmakers, “When we talk about delay of projects, I would have loved you to have specifics of what is considered as delays. It is important to understand what happens at the construction site, especially on highways, where we are reconstructing and commuters still have traffic,” adding that ideally on a construction site traffic should be shut down.
He cited as examples the Third Mainland Bridge in Lagos with an average Daily Traffic (ADT) of 122,978 vehicles, the Koton Karfe Bridge with Average Daily Traffic of 11,942 vehicles and the Makurdi Bridge, adding that the Lagos-Sagamu-Ibadan carries the heaviest daily traffic in the country followed by the Abuja-Kaduna-Kano Road.
On why the Sukuk could not be expanded to fund other road projects as a means of overcoming the problem of inadequate funding, he explained that at every issuance, there was a specific amount which the government could withdraw, adding that no money would be left as reserve for Sukuk fund.
Railway
Cargo train: NRC targets April for 100% Lagos-Kaduna dry port movement

Cargo train: NRC targets April for 100% Lagos-Kaduna dry port movement
The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has fixed the beginning of second quarter 2025 for full operations of its cargo train movement from Lagos to Kaduna Inland Dry Port.
This was disclosed in a video clip shared on the official X (formerly Twitter) account of the NRC on Saturday.
Managing Director of the NRC, stated in the video that while logistical operations had been put in place, some non-logistical issues needed to be addressed to ensure the seamless movement of goods via both narrow and standard gauge rail lines.
“There are little issues which are not related to logistics that needed to be cleared out.
However, bearing all circumstances, we are determined that the Nigerian Railway Corporation will ensure that the movement of goods along both narrow and standard rail lines is at maximum. “So, we are committed to ensuring that the movement of goods from Lagos to this dry port is achieved somewhere at the beginning of the second quarter,” Opeifa said.
He added, “We believe that all other issues related to other agencies of government would have been resolved and working with them should be able to ramp up, not to 70% but to 100%.”
Managing Director of Inland Containers Nigeria Limited, Omotayo Dada, also featured in the video and expressed optimism that within a few quarters, productivity at the Kaduna Inland Dry Port would increase significantly.
“We are optimistic that within a couple of quarters, before the year runs out, productivity would even increase by about 70%,” Dada said.
The Kaduna Inland Dry Port, commissioned in 2018, was established as a major logistics hub for exports, particularly agricultural products.
However, it has been operating below capacity, handling fewer containers than initially expected.
Over the years, container movement between Apapa Port and the Kaduna Inland Dry Port has been intermittently suspended for various reasons. Notably, in September 2020, operations were halted due to the rehabilitation of railway tracks, disrupting freight transport.
In a broader effort to improve freight connectivity between the southwestern seaports and inland regions, the Federal Executive Council (FEC) recently approved a $45.3 million contract for a feasibility study and engineering design of a new rail corridor.
The planned alignment will extend from Badagry Deep Sea Port through Tin Can, Apapa, and Lekki Seaports, reaching Ijebu-Ode and Kajola, where it will integrate with the Lagos-Kano-Maradi Railway Modernization Project.
Business
N’Assembly approves N14.3tn for debt service out of N45.9tn 2025 budget

N’Assembly approves N14.3tn for debt service out of N45.9tn 2025 budget
The National Assembly on Thursday passed N45.9 trillion as budget for the 2025 fiscal year, setting aside N14.317 trillion for debt servicing.
Both chambers of the assembly agreed to jerk up the budget by N719.5bn over what the executive submitted for approval.
President Bola Tinubu had initially proposed a N49.7 trillion budget but later revised it to N54.2 trillion before seeking legislative approval.
A breakdown of the N14.317 trillion total debt servicing showed that N7.191 trillion is for domestic debts (including Ways and Means), N6.749 trillion is for foreign debts, and N377.299 billion is for sinking funds to retire maturing promissory notes.
Newstrends discovered from a document of the Federal Ministry of Finance that Nigeria’s total debt as of the second quarter of 2024 “grew in naira terms to N134.3 trillion ($91.3 billion) from N121.7 trillion ($91.5 billion) in Q1 2024, driven mainly by exchange rate devaluation.”
Apart from debt service, the approved budget also showed N3.645 trillion for statutory transfers, N13.64 trillion for recurrent expenditure, and N23.963 trillion for capital expenditure (development fund), with a fiscal deficit put at N13.08 trillion.
Under the statutory transfers, National Judicial Council gets N521.626 billion, Niger Delta Development Commission gets N626.533 billion, South East Development Commission gets N140 billion, North West Development Commission gets N145.607 billion, South West Development Commission gets N140 billion, South-South Development Commission gets N140 billion and North Central Development Commission gets N140 billion.
The Universal Basic Education Commission gets N496.842 billion, National Assembly gets N344.853 billion, Public Complaint Commission gets N14.460 billion, Independent National Electoral Commission gets N140 billion, National Human Rights Commission gets N8 billion, North East Development Commission gets N240.988 billion while Basic Health Care Provision Fund gets N298.421 billion, respectively.
From the recurrent (non-debt) expenditure, Presidency gets N111.094 billion, Ministry of Defence gets N2.510 trillion, Ministry of Police Affairs gets N1.226 trillion, Ministry of Interior gets N658.586 billion, National Security Adviser gets N335.975 billion, Ministry of Education gets N1.159 trillion, Ministry of Youths gets N442.271 billion, Ministry of Foreign Affairs gets N286.887 billion, Information and National Orientation gets N75.887 billion, among others.
Under the Capital expenditure, Presidency gets N144.485 billion, Ministry of Defence gets N604.917 billion, National Security Adviser gets N316.864 billion, Secretary to the Government of the Federation gets N155.812 billion, Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security gets N1.201 trillion, Ministry of Finance gets N892.939 billion, Ministry of Works gets N2.045 trillion, Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation gets N578.398 billion, FCTA gets N229.625 billion, Ministry of Education gets N953.931 billion, Ministry of Health and Social Welfare gets N1.154 trillion, Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation gets N291.548 billion, among others.
Under the Multilateral/Bilateral loan funded projects, Ministry of Power receives N1.307 trillion; Ministry of Interior, N400.630 billion; Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, N400.630 billion; FCTA N235.369 billion; Ministry of Finance N236.657 billion; Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, N208.466 billion; Ministry of Education, N193.098 billion; Ministry of Health and Social Welfare gets N56.489 billion, among others.
Business
MTN apologises, says 200% data price increase a mistake

MTN apologises, says 200% data price increase a mistake
MTN, Nigeria’s largest telecom operator, has issued a public apology to its customers following widespread complaints about a sudden 200% increase in the price of its popular 15GB data package.
The price increase, which requires internet subscribers to pay N6,000 for a 15GB weekly data plan, a 200% increase from the previous N2,000, surprised many customers and sparked fury on social media on Wednesday.
In a message posted on social media on Thursday, MTN acknowledged its customers’ unhappiness in an informal, conversational tone and sought to address the rising anger among users who had become accustomed to the previously given low prices.
The message read, “To our 15G digital bundle lovers. You are vexed. We know. We know how upsetting it must have been to suddenly wake up to a 200% increase on your favorite digital bundle.
READ ALSO:
- Betty Akeredolu blames spiritualists for husband’s death, says prayers don’t cure cancer
- Tuface’s mother begs Natasha to let her son go (Video)
- Internet fraudsters forfeit hotel, huge funds to FG
“We could share several reasons and provide explanations, but omo, all that one is a story. We don’t cast. We get it and admit it. Let’s just say it was a mistake.”
MTN extended its apologies by imploring consumers not to be unhappy, adding, “In this love season, don’t stay furious with us. Kindly forgive and forget. You are important to us, and we will never stop showing you that. Let us continue our relationship.
“Thank you for your understanding.”
For the time being, only MTN has raised its tariffs, but Airtel and Globacom are anticipated to follow suit after the Nigerian Communications Commission approved a 50% tariff increase in January.
However, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has slammed telecommunications companies’ execution of a 50% pricing hike, seeking an immediate reversal.
MTN apologises, says 200% data price increase a mistake
-
Uncategorized3 days ago
UNIZIK expels female student who assaulted lecturer
-
metro3 days ago
Betty Akeredolu blames spiritualists for husband’s death, says prayers don’t cure cancer
-
metro2 days ago
Obasa: Real reasons behind his removal, beyond gov ambition
-
International2 days ago
How USAID funded Boko Haram – Scott Perry, US lawmaker
-
Business3 days ago
MTN apologises, says 200% data price increase a mistake
-
metro3 days ago
Afenifere leader Ayo Adebanjo dies at 96
-
Entertainment3 days ago
Tuface’s mother begs Natasha to let her son go (Video)
-
metro3 days ago
Morayo Afolabi-Brown attacks Natasha for dating Tuface
You must be logged in to post a comment Login