By John Ikani
The Federal Government has refunded N143 billion to five states for constructing federal roads.
This was made known by the Minister of State, Works and Housing, Alhaji Abubakar Aliyu over the weekend during a visit to Governor Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi State, at Government House, Birnin Kebbi, the state capital.
The minister who was in Kebbi State to inspect federal roads constructed by the state government said: “Out of the total distance of roads we have across the country, 34,000 kms are under the jurisdiction of the federal government out of which we are currently working on over 13,000 kms simultaneously with over 800 contracts currently ongoing.
“Before now, some states may find it extremely necessary, because of urgency, to approach the federal government to seek permission to construct federal roads that are within their states. The federal government will give them the permission and they will be reimbursed later.”
The minister recalled that in 2016, the Federal Executive Council (FEC), set up a committee headed by the Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Raji Fashola to verify and clear road construction executed by some state governments and the committee was able to verify 25 states who build the federal government roads in their state.
He noted that President Muhammadu Buhari had given approval for the payment of N477 billion, which was shared among the 25 states respectively, adding that “this is the third set of which Kebbi is among, alongside Yobe and Taraba States.”
The state minister said, “As I am talking to you, by tomorrow, the Minister of Works and Housing will be in Yobe to ascertain and verify their road construction, while the Minister of Education will be in Taraba to do a similar job.
“That’s why I am here together with my team today, the secretariat is domiciled in the SGF’s office and that’s why you see me with the Permanent Secretary, Cabinet Office, to come and verify the two roads as you requested.”
Responding, Governor Bagudu appreciated the visit of the minister for completing one of the legacy roads it inherited, Sokoto-Tambuwal-Kontagora road.
He said the road is one of the most important roads, adding that it does not only link other states with the Federal Capital Territory, but it is the main gateway to Lagos.
“I remember in 2015 when we came in before the completion of the road, whenever we were having Security Council meeting, it was a nightmare for the Emir of Yauri to come, but today, he even looks forward to coming for the meetings,” he added.
He observed that apart from the completion of inherited projects, the present administration had been able to initiate and execute new gigantic projects across the country.
Earlier, the Commissioner for Works in the State, Alhaji Abubakar Chika-Ladan told the Governor that he led the visitors on inspection of Dabai-Mahuta-Koko road which was constructed in 2006 at the cost of N4.8 billion as well as Malando-Garin Baka-Ngaski 45 km road which gulped N2.2 billion in 2007.
