Abuja, July 10, 2024 – The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has stepped down some major projects that require additional funding, especially projects under the Federal Ministry of Works.
Mohammed Idris, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, disclosed this to journalists at the end of FEC meeting on Wednesday.
He said the affected projects were inherited from previous administrations and needed some augmentation.
The minister said President Tinubu had directed a thorough examination of these projects to ensure probity, proficiency, and diligence in their execution, adding that the review would be discussed at the next meeting.
He said the Council directed David Umahi, the Minister of Works, to work with the Ministers of Budget and Economic Planning and the Minister of Finance to streamline all projects contained in the memoranda for appropriate funding intervention.
“So today, we didn’t have so many projects that were approved as a result of that, but of note is to say that Mr. President, in line with his thinking of ensuring that there is probity, proficiency and diligence in project execution, has directed that all projects that require additional funding, especially major projects of the Ministry of Works, be looked at once again so that there will be further deliberation on that at the next council meeting”, he said.
Idris said the Lagos-Calabar Highway and other newly approved roads were not part of the affected projects.
He said the Council was ready to reconsider and re-prioritise most of the inherited projects under the Federal Ministry of Works, while it sources for alternative funding and re-evaluate those that can be completed.
“Those projects that were required to be stepped down are part of inherited projects from 13 years ago some of them were inherited from past administrations and they are now been streamlined and worked out to ensure they are completed installmentally the Lagos-Calabar Highway is not suffering budget augmentation.
“Most of the projects are those carried over due to variation and the Council has decided to ensure that all the projects should be stepped down they will not be thrown away but will be reconsidered and re-prioritised and the government will source for funding for the projects and the government will look at those that can be completed,” the minister said.
