By: VITALIS UGOH, Calabar.
The Federal Government has approved the refund of all expenditures by state governments on the repair and maintenance of federal roads, the Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola, has disclosed.
He said that Bureau of Public Procurement has certified the payment of all claims to states on federal roads.
Fashola said that the Federal Government would raise bond to pay states governments for verified claims of money spent on rehabilitating and reconstructing federal.
He made the remarks while on inspection of federal roads in Cross River.
According to him, “the Federal Government was mindful of its obligations and desirous of discharging them.” Although the minister did not specify the amount owed states, but said that “the BPP had approved verified claims”.
He said, “we have assessed all the claims made by states for reimbursement on roads. We have submitted the report to the President and just yesterday (Wednesday), the Bureau for Public Procurement have approved for payment of certified states.
“The Federal Executive Council will take decision on that. The decision will be to raise bond in order to pay these liabilities. This is a matter that has been agitating the minds of the governors and we will address it”.
He said that his visit to Cross River State was to access federal roads under construction in fulfilment of the implementation of the 2016 federal budget.
According to him, “the ministry had mobilised contractors to site, adding that it was important to do a facility tour of the federal roads infrastructure across the country”.
“The present administration under President Muhammadu Buhari is committed to ensuring that federal roads across the country are given utmost attention.
He said that Bureau of Public Procurement has certified the payment of all claims to states on federal roads.
Fashola said that the Federal Government would raise bond to pay states governments for verified claims of money spent on rehabilitating and reconstructing federal.
He made the remarks while on inspection of federal roads in Cross River.
According to him, “the Federal Government was mindful of its obligations and desirous of discharging them.” Although the minister did not specify the amount owed states, but said that “the BPP had approved verified claims”.
He said, “we have assessed all the claims made by states for reimbursement on roads. We have submitted the report to the President and just yesterday (Wednesday), the Bureau for Public Procurement have approved for payment of certified states.
“The Federal Executive Council will take decision on that. The decision will be to raise bond in order to pay these liabilities. This is a matter that has been agitating the minds of the governors and we will address it”.
He said that his visit to Cross River State was to access federal roads under construction in fulfilment of the implementation of the 2016 federal budget.
According to him, “the ministry had mobilised contractors to site, adding that it was important to do a facility tour of the federal roads infrastructure across the country”.
“The present administration under President Muhammadu Buhari is committed to ensuring that federal roads across the country are given utmost attention.
“We are in Cross River today to access the state of federal roads under construction in fulfilment of the implementation of the 2016 federal budget” he said.
Earlier, the Federal Controller of Works in Cross River State, Mr. Chinwoba Agbana has said that the Calabar/Itu/Ikot-Ekpene/Aba highway would soon be dualised.
He said four project contractors have been mobilized to site across the state for various road projects, particularly, the Calabar-Ikom-Ogoja-Obudu axis.
Deputy Governor of Cross River prof. Ivara Esu said the state was not aware that there were four contractors working on federal roads in the state.
He said about 80 per cent of roads in the state were federal roads mostly in deplorable conditions.
Earlier, the Federal Controller of Works in Cross River State, Mr. Chinwoba Agbana has said that the Calabar/Itu/Ikot-Ekpene/Aba highway would soon be dualised.
He said four project contractors have been mobilized to site across the state for various road projects, particularly, the Calabar-Ikom-Ogoja-Obudu axis.
Deputy Governor of Cross River prof. Ivara Esu said the state was not aware that there were four contractors working on federal roads in the state.
He said about 80 per cent of roads in the state were federal roads mostly in deplorable conditions.
