According to David Umahi, minister of works, the federal government is not now able to reimburse state governments for money spent on federal highways.
When Umahi visited Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde in Ibadan on Thursday, he made this clear.
The minister is in the state for a two-day working visit, according to the News Agency of Nigeria.
“The federal government cannot make any commitments at this time due to the state of the economy.
However, he said, “records of such state-funded road projects would be kept and could be reviewed when the economy improves.”
He praised Makinde for the administration’s involvement in road construction.
According to the minister, the intervention lessened people’s suffering.
“We are one government, whether it is for state or federal highways. The goal and duty of office is to put the interests of the people’s wellbeing ahead of all other considerations, he stated.
Umahi advised Makinde to use concrete pavement technology for road building projects since it was more cost-effective and durable than asphalt roads.
He said that about 95% of the roads he built as governor of Ebonyi State were constructed with concrete pavement, citing the success of similar projects in Lagos State.
The minister explained that he was visiting road projects in the South-West for the Federal Government during his visit to Oyo State.
In Abuja, according to Umahi, he met with every contractor in charge of the North-West, North-Central, and South-West road projects.
Following the meeting, he remarked, “I made the decision to visit these projects to ascertain the calibre of work completed and other factors on the ground.”
In order to successfully complete the Federal Government’s initiatives in the state, he also requested increased collaboration from the Oyo State Government.
Makinde responded by thanking the minister for his visit.
He claimed that Umahi’s record as the leader of Ebonyi speaks for itself.
The governor said that his government gave priority to road projects since they are crucial to the economy.
Whether they be state or federal roadways, we are dedicated to the restoration and reconstruction of several road projects.
“For instance, it took us two years to obtain federal government clearance for the 34 km Oyo-Iseyin Road, which we quickly gave to the contractor after obtaining due of its significance to the state’s agribusiness.
“The route will be opened by former president Olusegun Obasanjo on September 15. The documents are there, and we will provide them to the minister, but we are not asking for a reimbursement right away,” he stated.
Makinde said that his administration will keep funding road infrastructure improvements for the state’s growth.
He expressed to the minister his willingness to work with the federal government to dualize the Ibadan-Abeokuta Road in Oyo State.
The governor also let the minister know that he had reached an agreement to illuminate the Lagos-Ibadan Road with his colleagues in the states of Ogun and Lagos.
He said that because it is the busiest route in the nation, illuminating the whole section of it will improve security along its length.
