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Buhari okays N1.9tr for NNPC to reconstruct 44 federal roads
Four months to end of his administration, President Muhammadu Buhari has approved for the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited, to invest N1.9 trillion in reconstruction of 44 federal roads under the tax credit policy.
Media Assistant, Media and Publicity (Office of the Vice President), Laolu Akande, who made the disclosure at the end of the weekly Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting, yesterday, in Abuja, said the approval fell under the Federal Government Road Infrastructure Development and Refurbishment Investment Tax Credit Policy Phase 2 to be executed by NNPCL and its subsidiaries.
He said: “So, the Council approved the proposal by the Ministry of Works and Housing for the reconstruction of 44 proposed federal roads with a total length of 4,554 kilometres in the total sum of N1.9 trillion.”
The approval is coming 15 months after NNPCL expressed interest in investing in the reconstruction of selected federal roads to sustain smooth supply and distribution of petroleum products across the federation.
President Buhari had, on January 25, 2019, signed the Executive Order 007, which birthed the Road Infrastructure Development and Refurbishment Investment Tax Credit Scheme, geared at unlocking funding from the private sector to critical road infrastructure in the country.
The presidential order was to empower private companies to finance construction or refurbishment of federal roads designated as “Eligible Roads” under the scheme and recoup their investments through deduction from their yearly Companies Income Tax.
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The programme is a public-private partnership (PPP) intervention that enables the Federal Government to leverage private sector’s capital and efficiency for construction and refurbishment of critical road infrastructure in key economic areas in Nigeria.
Under the initial programme, the NNPC is constructing a total of 1,804.6 kilometres of roads at a total cost of N621,237,143,897.35.
A breakdown of the funding showed that the North Central geo-political zone, made up of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Benue, Kogi, Kwara, Nasarawa, Niger, and Plateau states, got the highest share of N244.87 billion for construction of 791.1 kilometres of road.
The South-South region, comprising Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Edo and Rivers states, emerged second highest beneficiary, with N172.02 billion for a total of 81.9 kilometres of road.
The Southwest, consisting of Ekiti, Lagos, Osun, Ondo, Ogun and Oyo states, followed with a total allocation of N81.87 billion for construction of 252.7 kilometres of roads.
The NNPCL allocated N56.12 billion to North East, comprising Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Taraba, and Yobe states, for construction of 273.35 kilometres of roads under the scheme.
The Southeast geo-political zone, made up of five states, including Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu and Imo, got N43.28 billion allocation for construction/rehabilitation of 122 kilometres of road.
The national oil company allocated N23.05 billion for rehabilitation of 283.5 kilometres of road to Northwest geo-political zone, consisting of Kaduna, Katsina, Kano, Kebbi, Sokoto, Jigawa and Zamfara states.
The road projects are being funded by NNPC and the amount is deducted by the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIR) from the NNPCL’s tax obligations.
President Bola Tinubu, on Tuesday arrived in Katsina to receive the remains of the former President Muhammadu Buhari, who passed away in London on Sunday at the age of 82.
Just hours before the burial of former President Muhammadu Buhari, heartfelt tributes have continued to pour in from beneficiaries of his many charitable deeds, with many describing him as a man who never turned his back on the needy.
Speaking to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday, Aminu Daura, a respected community elder, recalled how Buhari consistently provided foodstuffs during Ramadan for families, friends, widows, and orphans in his hometown.
“He never made noise about it, but many homes had food on their tables during fasting period because of him,” Daura said.
Abdullahi Sani, a physically-challenged man who received a tricycle from the Buhari Foundation in 2021, was overcome with emotion while speaking to NAN.
“I can move around and feed my family today because of Baba Buhari. I pray to Allah to reward him for giving hope to people like me,” he said, in tears.
Hajiya Fatima Yahaya, another resident, remembered Buhari’s acts of kindness during festive seasons.
“Even after he left office, his aides ensured that the usual support still reached us every year. He always remember his people,” she said, referring to his distribution of Sallah rams and food items to indigent families during Eid celebrations.
Other residents of Daura also shared memories of how the late former president quietly paid school fees and medical bills for struggling families, actions rarely publicized.
“Some of us benefited from his silent interventions. He was a true father and a great figure in the society,” said Ali Saidu.
On Monday night, Imams across various mosques in Daura held special Qur’anic recitations, praying for the forgiveness of Buhari’s sins and his eternal peace.
The Chief Imam of Daura Central Mosque, Sheikh Musa Kofar Barau, described Buhari as a humble leader whose legacy of service and compassion would remain alive in the hearts of the people.
Buhari is scheduled to be buried later on Tuesday in his hometown of Daura, Katsina State, in line with Islamic rites. The community is bracing to welcome thousands of mourners from across Nigeria and beyond.
His Majesty King Mohammed VI of Morocco has extended heartfelt condolences to President Bola Tinubu, the family of the late former President Muhammadu Buhari, and the entire Nigerian people following Buhari’s death.
In a message of sympathy, the Moroccan monarch described the passing of the former Nigerian leader as a “sad occurrence,” expressing deep sorrow over the loss.
King Mohammed VI hailed Buhari as “an illustrious leader who worked untiringly to serve his country’s best interests and lead his people toward further progress and prosperity.”
He added: “Our thoughts and prayers are with you and the bereaved. I share your grief and want you to know how much I appreciated the working sessions I had with the deceased.”
Reflecting on their bilateral engagements, the king noted that his collaboration with Buhari led to the launch of promising development projects, “ushering a new era grounded in friendship and close cooperation between our two sister nations.”
Tinubu arrives Katsina to receive Buhari’s body for burial
“He Never Turned His Back on the Needy” — Tributes Pour In Ahead of Buhari’s Burial
King Mohammed VI Mourns Buhari, Praises Legacy of Nigeria’s Former Leader
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