According to Works Minister David Umahi, the federal government cannot currently return money spent by state governments on federal roads.
Umahi made this known on Thursday when he paid a visit to Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde in Ibadan.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the Minister is in Oyo State on a two-day working visit.
“The current state of the economy will not allow the federal government to make any commitments.”
“However, records of such road projects done by states would be kept and could be revisited when the economy improves,” he said.
He praised Makinde’s administration for their involvement in road improvements.
According to the minister, the intervention is easing people’s pain.
“We are one government, whether it is state or federal roads.” “The goal and oath of office are to prioritise the welfare of the people over any other interest,” he stated.
Umahi persuaded Makinde to use Concrete Pavement Technology in road construction projects, claiming that it was more durable and cost less than asphalt roads.
He stated that road projects using concrete pavement in Lagos state had been successful, and that as Governor of Ebonyi, he built nearly 95% of road projects with concrete pavement.
The Minister stated that the goal of his travel to Oyo State was to tour federal government road projects in the South West.
Umahi stated that he had met with all contractors in charge of road work in the North West, North Central, and South West in Abuja.
“Following the meeting, I decided to visit these projects to learn about the quality of work done and other issues on the ground,” he explained.
He also demanded increased cooperation from the Oyo state administration in order to achieve success on federal government projects in the state.
Makinde responded by thanking the minister for his visit.
According to him, Umahi’s record as governor of Ebonyi speaks for itself.
The governor stated that his administration highlighted road construction as a key economic priority.
“We are committed to the rehabilitation and reconstruction of numerous road projects, whether state or federal.”
“For example, the 34-kilometer Oyo-Iseyin road took us two years to get approval from the federal government, and we awarded it to a contractor as soon as we got the approval because it is critical to the state’s agribusiness.”
“On September 15, former President Olusegun Obasanjo will inaugurate the road.” We are not requesting a refund right away, but the data are available and will be provided to the Minister,” he stated.
Makinde also stated that his administration would continue to invest in road infrastructure for the state’s development.
He expressed his openness to collaborate with the federal government to dualize the Oyo state segment of the Ibadan-Abeokuta route.
The governor also informed the minister that he and his colleagues in Ogun and Lagos States had agreed to illuminate the Lagos-Ibadan Road.
He stated that the road was the busiest in the country and that lighting the entire stretch of road will improve security along the road corridor.
