Date Published: 05/24/09

Sir,

Federal roads in Abia, Akwa Ibom and Ogun States

The recent situation where the Federal Government had to go into awarding contract for roads’ rehabilitation in Abia State after the State had in consultation with it earlier awarded the same projects is condemnable.

In the case of Akwa Ibom State, the Governor had informed the public that within the two years of his administration, he has spent N80billion on federal roads and is hoping to get reimbursed by the federal government. In that State’s case, it was not likely that there was adequate involvement of the federal authorities as expected before awarding contract for most of such jobs. This assumption is taken because the Akwa Ibom present administration could not have, within the short space of time of its existence gone through the due process with the federal authorities for all jobs most of which started in the early days of its existence.

As for the Ogun State, it was an appeal to the federal government to refund a total of N2billion spent by it on federal roads. This appeal was made on behalf of the State government by the Special Adviser to Governor Daniel, Mr. Kehinde Osikoya, who is also the Chief Executive of that State’s Road Maintenance Agency.

But what is yet to be ascertained the feasibility of these refunds considering the utterances from the Federal Minister of Works who recently informed the public how some of the State governments continue cheating by over-pricing of most federal projects in their constituency without  inputs from the federal authorities.

 Ikechukwu Anunobi. 55 Nkisi Road, Onitsha