Khadijat Saidu, Birnin Kebbi
The Federal Government has reimbursed five States with a total sum of N143 billion naira for constructing Federal Government roads in their various States.
The Minister of Works and Housing, Engineer Abubakar Aliyu, disclosed this during a curtsey visit to Governor Atiku Bagudu at the Government House, Birnin Kebbi.
Engineer Aliyu said he was in Kebbi to ascertain the level of work executed by the state government on some federal roads constructed in the state, adding that “Out of the total distance of roads across the country, 34,000 kms plus are under the jurisdiction of the federal government out of which the ministry are currently working on over 13,000 kms simultaneously with over 800 contracts currently ongoing.
He noted that 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 refund later. He also said before 2016, the Federal Executive Council (FEC) set up a committee to verify and clear road construction executed by some state governments.
“The committee headed by the Minister of Works and Housing, Hon. Babatunde Raji Fashola was able to clear and verify 25 states who built federal government roads in their states.” He recalled 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 Hon. Minister of Works and Housing will be in Yobe to ascertain and verify their road construction, while the Hon. Minister of Education will be in Taraba to do a similar job. “That’s why I am here in Kebbi together with my team today to verify the two roads as you requested. He added.
In his response Governor Atiku Bagudu appreciated the minister for the visit, commended the present administration for completing one of the legacy roads it inherited; the Sokoto-Tambuwal- Jega -Yauri -Kontagora road.
He said the road is one of the most important roads, not only does it link other states with the Federal Capital Territory, but it is the main gateway to from the north 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.
“This is one of the numerous uncompleted roads that were inherited by President Buhari administration which are either completed or on the way to completion. This is highly commendable.”
Though, the President wouldn’t have achieved that without a formidable team, for that we also commend the efforts of the ministry.
Speaking Earlier, the state Commissioner for Works and housing , Alhaji Abubakar Chika-Ladan told the governor that he led the Minister and his team for the inspection of Dabai-Mahuta-Koko road which was constructed in 2006 at the cost of N4.8 billion naira as well as Malando-Garin Baka-Ngaski a 45 km road at the cost N2.2 billion in 2007.
