Taraba, 4 Other States Gets Fresh N143bn for Constructing FG Roads

 The Minister of State, Works and Housing Alhaji Abubakar Aliyu has disclosed that the Federal Government recently refunded N143 billion to Taraba State and four others states for constructing federal roads.

Aliyu made the disclosure during a visit to Gov. Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi State, at Government House, Birnin Kebbi, recalled that President Muhammadu Buhari had given approval for the payment of  N477 billion, which was shared among the 25 states respectively, adding that "this is the third set of which Kebbi is among, alongside Yobe and Taraba States.

The minister was in Kebbi to ascertain the level of work executed by the state government on the construction of some federal roads in the state.

He noted that the  Minister of Education Mallam Adamu Adamu  will also be in Taraba to ascertain the level of work executed by the state government on the construction of some federal roads in the state.

"Out of the total distance of roads we have across the country, 34,000 km plus are under the jurisdiction of the federal government out of which we are currently working on over 13,000 km simultaneously with over 800 contracts currently ongoing.

"Before now, 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, Hon. Babatunde Raji Fashola was able to clear and verify 25 states who built federal government roads in their states."

He"The State Minister said: "As I am talking to you, the Hon. Minister of Works and Housing will be in Yobe to ascertain and verify their road construction, while the Hon. Minister of Education will be in Taraba to do a similar job."That's why I am here together with my team today, the secretariat is domiciled in the SGF's office and that's why you see me with the Permanent Secretary, Cabinet Office, to come and verify the two roads as you requested.