Buhari Has Spent N73bn On Roads

BEVERLY HILLS, September 29, (THEWILL) – The Federal Government has so far spent N73 billion on road projects across the country.

This was disclosed by Babatunde Fashola, Minister for Power, Works and Housing, on Thursday , in Katsina at the 22nd National Council of Works meeting with the theme: 'Prioritisation and Optimisation of Allocated Road Infrastructure Funds'.

Fashols said that the expenditure had been worth it because it would enhance the socio-economic development of the country adding that the amount spent was part of the N266 billion appropriated in the 2016 federal budget.

He noted that the money was used to settle contractors' liabilities and road rehabilitation across the country but declared that the Federal Government would henceforth hold the 36 state controllers of works responsible for poor quality job on Federal Highways in their respective areas.

“State controllers of works are the representatives of the Federal Government in their respective states; we will give them all they need to carry out the job,” he said.

“They must, however, ensure that quality job is done on our roads or be held responsible.

“I am also appealing to state governments to create friendly relationship with the controllers to achieve the set goal.

“The administration considers transport infrastructure as fundamental requirement of development in any nation.

“This is because building roads is building connectivity of the Nigerian family; we will continue to put our roads in good shape.”

Fashola then directed the controllers to identify roads that were in bad condition, restore road signs on the highways, erect kilometer indicators and properly erect sign posts of towns and villages.

Story by David Oputah