The Federal Government has assured the Government and people of Rivers
State that it will effect a refund of monies expended on Federal
Projects in the state.
Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike led the Federal Executive
Council Verification Team on a tour of listed projects in the state on
Monday.
Addressing journalists after embarking on the verification of Federal
Road Projects executed by the Rivers State Government on behalf of the
Federal Government, Minister of State for Education, Hon Chukwuemeka
Nwajiuba said that the Buhari Administration will always abide by set
rules.
He said: “The Federal Government has always cooperated with the people
of Rivers State. Rivers State is the strongest economic base of the
country and anything that the Government will do for the Government and
people of Rivers State, the Federal Government will respond accordingly
“The President is a stickler for the rules. We have addressed this
everywhere, except for five states, that we are now verifying . No
state has had an issue. ”
The Minister said that the Rivers State Government over the years did a
splendid work in the construction of key projects in the state.
“Terrific work has been done by the Government and people of Rivers
State on behalf of the Federal Government.
“The Governor has taken us on extensive review of more than the six
projects that we came to inspect,” he said.
He expressed happiness with the tour of Federal Road Projects executed
by the Rivers State Government.
He said: “I am glad we took time out to go and see all of them and
verify them physically. We are really sure that the State Government
has done what is right. ”
In an interview with journalists after the Joint Verification Exercise,
Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike said he is confident that the
Federal Government will effect a refund.
He said: “The Minister has come with his team and I believe they will
refund us the funds expended on the road.
“We have made submissions for refund, but we are yet to receive any
refund from the Federal Government. I believe this last verification
will come to fruition. I have confidence that they will refund us the
money expended on Federal Projects.”
Governor Wike said if the Federal Government fails to effect the refund
as promised, the Rivers State Government will raise an alarm.
“If they don’t refund , we will raise alarm and tell the world to help
us ask we are being denied the refund.
“Now we are talking of governance and we need these funds to do more
projects for our people. He has given us assurance that the Federal
Government will effect a refund this time around”, he said.
The tour commenced at the over 41.26 kilometre dualisation of the
Airport-Isiokpo-Elele/Omerelu road, the reconstruction of Ikwerre road
from Education to Agip flyover junction,
construction of flyover at Agip-Rumueme-Abacha roundabout and the
construction of flyover on East-west road at Obiri-Ikwerre with rotary
turning and service lanes.
The verification team also visited the construction of Eleme junction
flyover and interchange and the construction of Ada George road phase
one and two.
Governor Wike also led the team on an inspection of Flyover Bridges
under construction by the Rivers State Government