Governor Nwifuru urged FG to refund to the State funds expended in construction of roads on Federal Highways

 

 

BY CLEMENT NNACHI /ABAKALIKI

 

Governor Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi State,  has made a passionate appeal to the Federal Government to refund to the State funds expended in construction of roads on Federal Highways.

 

Nwifuru made the plea at the weekend when he received the Minister of Works Engr David Umahi and his entourage who paid him  a courtesy visit at the Government House Centenary City Abakaliki.

 

The Minister is currently on tour of Federal Road projects across the Country including the South- East geo-political zone of the country.

 

Governor Nwifuru noted that the refund would enable the State channel resources towards the construction of other critical infrastructure begging for attention in parts of the State.

 

He expressed worry  over the handling of rehabilitation  work on Abakaliki – Afikpo Federal Highway stating that the Contractor  allegedly syphoned funds meant for the project without execution.

 

The State Chief Executive blamed  Contractors and  Engineers for poor supervision of projects in parts of the country especially in South East region.

 

“Our major problem in this Country is one not knowing his job schedule, that is why we are having shoddy jobs everywhere, all constructions should be channelled to the Federal Ministry of Works because they have all the manpower and capacity to do quality job.”

 

Governor Nwifuru applauded the Minister of Works who was the immediate past Governor of the State,  for laying solid infrastructural base upon which he is currently advancing the development of the State as Chief Executive.

 

“Under his watch, the money of Ebonyi circulated within Ebonyi, he got the raw materials from Ebonyi and he used locals to do the job.”

 

Earlier in a remarks, the Minister of Works Engr David Umahi congratulated Governor Nwifuru for his outstanding performance in Office within his first 100 days.

 

“Your Excellency I congratulate you on your 100 days in office, in 100 days you have defined your direction and focus, so I commend you and I want you to be focused and do everything to carry all the shades of the State together.”

 

While calling on the citizens to continue to support the Governor to transform the State, Chief Umahi assured he would cooperate with the State Government to attract more democracy dividends to the people from the Federal Government.

 

“Your Excellency we bring you renewed hope, first is to congratulate the State for the  victory of President Tinubu.

 

“We have to key into the centre to be treated like others, now that Mr . President has graciously done what has never been done by giving us the Minister of Works, we are going to rewrite the wrongs-

 

“When cost of projects are hiked with low funding, the tendency is that the project could be abandoned, Nigerians under me will get value for their money and we are going to be very transparent about it.”

 

Umahi called on Governors to introduce Parks along Highways to ensure ease of transportation.

 

The Minister was accompanied on the visit  by the Senator representing Ebonyi North Senatorial Zone, Senator Onyekachi Nwebonyi and top management of the Federal Ministry of Works.