The Federal Government has reassured Nigerians that critical road projects across the country will not be abandoned despite the suspension of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) tax credit scheme.
Minister of Works, David Umahi, disclosed that President Bola Tinubu has directed that all projects earlier captured under the NNPCL funding arrangement must continue.
Speaking during an inspection of the Benin–Warri dual carriageway bypass in Edo State, Umahi admitted that the suspension of the tax credit initiative had slowed down funding, but stressed that the President remained resolute about completing priority infrastructure.
“Mr. President is determined to ensure our roads are delivered. Even though the tax credit programme has been suspended, he has instructed that all projects funded under it must go on,” Umahi said.
The NNPCL tax credit scheme, introduced in 2021, was designed to allow the oil giant invest in federal roads in exchange for tax relief. Under the first phase, N621.2 billion was earmarked for the rehabilitation of 21 roads across the six geopolitical zones, including the Ilorin–Jebba–Mokwa highway and the Suleja–Minna corridor.
By 2023, the programme had expanded to cover 44 federal roads worth N1.9 trillion, with major projects such as the East–West Road, Port Harcourt–Onne Junction upgrade, Nembe–Brass Road in Bayelsa, and the Eket bypass.
During his visit, Umahi, accompanied by Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo, also revealed a significant adjustment to the much-talked-about Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway.
According to him, Tinubu has approved that a 100-kilometre stretch of the highway will now run through Edo State, a development he described as a “special gift” to the state.
The Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway, a flagship project of the Tinubu administration, covers several states: Lagos (100km), Ogun and Ondo (82km), Akwa Ibom (65km), Cross River (27km), and now Edo.
Analysts say the continuation of these projects despite funding disruptions underscores Tinubu’s determination to push ahead with Nigeria’s infrastructure renewal drive.
