Lawan: Senate will ensure states get refunds on federal roads

Hope rose on Tuesday for states that have used their funds to fix federal roads in their domains. Senate President Ahmad Lawan assured the Red Chamber will ensure they get refunds of any amount spent on rehabilitation and repair.

Lawan said the Senate will partner the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing to facilitate reimbursements.

The Senate President gave the assurance while inaugurating the 25-kilometre Uyo-Ikot Ekpene Road in Akwa Ibom State.

The project, initiated by Senator Godswill Akpabio when he held the fort as governor in the Southsouth states, was completed by Governor Udom Emmanuel.

He lauded the governor for his belief in the unity, peace, development and progress of Nigeria and for remaining a model in his approach to governance.

The senator promised to investigate why the project for the extension of Uyo -Ikot Ekpene road to Aba in Abia State was abandoned with the view of advocating for such extension.

Lawan said: “Governor Udom Emmanuel is justice, unity peace progress development. You are right in all the actions you take. When this road was left at 20 per cent completion, you took it over; that explains how much you love your people. You are pan-Nigeria, reasonable and purposeful.

“You have been very progressive. You are showing us how to develop our country. Though a federal road, you decided to complete it for your people. You have demonstrated to Nigerians that business of development must be on all tiers of government. What the Federal government needs is partnership, cooperation and development together.

“You more than deserve refund. I will join you in talking to the Minister of Works and Housing to facilitate refund. Let me use this opportunity to encourage other state Governors to imitate Akwa Ibom.

“Let me also commend other states that have done same. I will join the advocacy for the extension of this road Uyo and Aba.”

He said the Federal government has committed huge resources in infrastructural development.

Regretting the challenges confronting the country, the Lawan called on all tiers of government to hold hands to deal with such challenges.

“We need honesty and sincerity of leadership. It doesn’t matter who you are; where you are from, your political or religious affiliations; we must unite to build Nigeria,” Lawan said.

Governor Emmanuel, who informed that the road was built with state’s funds that could have been used to shore up local economy, urged the Federal government to ensure prompt refund.

He made case for extension of the dual-carriage way into Aba in Abia State to further enhance the ease of doing business in the two states.