The Federal Executive Council, FEC on Monday, approved N5.9 billion to fund the construction of roads for access in Abuja light rail. Abuja railway system.

Minister from the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, disclosed this during a briefing to State House correspondents at the close of Council meeting which was facilitated by the President Bola Tinubu in the Council Chamber, Presidential Villa, Abuja.

The Minister said that the president had decided to set a timeframe for the finalization of Abuja Light Rail project highlighting the importance of preparing roads for the access for the railway station.

According to his statement, "Toda,y Council approved the award of the contract for the construction of roads to access Abuja light rail. Abuja Light Rail. You know that Mr. President has issued the order that he would like to use the Metro line.

"Now it will not be possible if there are no access roads to commuters in communities around."

The Minister explained that, even though that the Federal Government approved three road projects at the last session, the approval on Monday is for LOT 4 for communities near the airport as well as Abuja Hajj Camp.

"If you don't make roads for access and parks it's going to be difficult. So the Council approved the proposed MSSRS CCECC at a cost of N5.9bn.

"We believe that this access road being created and some car parks, we believe hopefully by next year most of us will be joining the metro line," Minister said.

He further stated that Council approved the construction of roads on the Trans-Sahara route, which runs from Enugu-Abakaliki-Ogoja to Cameroon. Another road project in phase 2 along with road projects from Badagry to Sokoto route, were all approved to finance.

Umahi, who stated that the projects would be financed by the Engineering, Procurement, Construction and Financing model. He argued that it was not the right time to put a contract amount on the project, which is currently in the planning stage.

"Ministry of Works presented a memo for approval on the Coaster roads running from Lagos to Port Harcourt to Cross River and then one of the harvest roads to Trans-Sahara route, which is running from Enugu---Abakaliki-Ogoja down to Cameroon is Africa Trans-Sahara, another road under phase 2 also from Badagry to Sokoto.

"So, it was approved to be into finance in a model of EPCF that's engineering, procurement, construction and then Plustv + Financing, and so counsel deliberated and approved and then directed the Minister of Finance expedite action on its part," he added.

The former Ebonyi Governor of the state stated that the next stage would be the beginning for feasibility and survey studies to determine the costs for the venture, as well as other things.

"There are numerous procedures that will be undergoing and it's not the time to assign an expense to it. First, you must decide that it is a good idea to get it carried out. Then, secondly, you are aware that this is the method of financing that needs to be used.