President Muhammadu Buhari has refunded N620 billion to states for rebuilding federal roads across the country.
The Minister of State for Works and Housing, Engr Abubakar D. Aliyu, disclosed this during a courtesy call to Kebbi State Governor Atiku Bagudu at the Government House in Birnin Kebbi.
The minister, who was on a working visit to verify and supervise all the ongoing federal road projects in the state, said Buhari had approved the payment of N477 billion as road projects refund to 25 states in 2016.
“Another N143 billion was approved by President Buhari and refunded to five states in 2019 for rebuilding federal roads,” Engr Aliyu said.
The minister said of all the roads across the country, 34,000 kms plus are under the jurisdiction of the federal government.
He said the Buhari administration is currently working on over 13,000 kms roads simultaneously, with over 800 contracts awarded.
Engr Aliyu said before the coming fo this administration, 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. Before 2016 or around that period, 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, Babatunde Raji Fashola, was able to clear and verify 25 states who built federal government roads in their states.”
“This is the third set of which Kebbi is among, alongside Yobe and Taraba States.”
The minister said he was in Kebbi with his team to verify the federal roads constructed by the state government.
Governor Bagudu appreciated the minister for the visit, applauding the present administration for completing one of the legacy roads it inherited; Sokoto-Tambuwal-Kontagora road.
“This 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 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 the President Buhari administration which are either completed or on the way to completion. This is highly commendable,” the governor said.
