The Federal Government (FG) has disclosed plans to verify claims for N2billion reimbursement submitted by the Kebbi State Government for the construction of Melando-Garin Baka-Ngaski Wara and Dabai-Mahuta-Koko federal road projects.
The Minister of State for Works and Housing, Engr Abubakar Aliyu made the disclosure when he paid a courtesy visit to the Governor of Kebbi State Abubakar Bagudu.
According to him, the visit was aimed at verifying claims for reimbursement submitted by the Kebbi State government for the roads in line with directives of President Muhammadu Buhari to the Inter-Ministerial Committee to review the requests from states seeking reimbursement for the road projects executed by them.
“We are here for the verification and after that, we are going to report back to the main Committee and I believe it will be favourable,” he said.
The Committee had earlier inspected the two selected road projects built by the State government that was slated for reimbursement.
Also, reimbursements of N477 billion had previously been made to twenty-five states between 2018 and 2019 based on the recommendation of the Inter-Ministerial Committee.
Similarly, another disbursement of N143 billion was made to additional five states by the Federal Government in October 2019.
Accordingly, the Minister disclosed that based on the recommendation of the Inter-Ministerial Committee, the President had on the 17, May 2021, approved additional new requests for disbursements for Yobe, Taraba and Kebbi States.
In his response, the Executive Governor of the State, Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagugu commended the federal government for the bold step it has taken in refunding States the monies spent in executing Federal Government road projects.
The Governor said that the debt of over 500 billion naira paid by this administration were inherited debts.
“Yes, we are one of the states that have done federal government roads. I am happy that you have come to verify our claims and we shall be grateful if your report will lead to a refund so that we will do more,” he said.
Speaking further, he commended the FG for completing the Sokoto/Tambuwa/Kontogora road, saying that the road was one of the most important roads and one of the numerous uncompleted roads inherited by President Muhammadu Buhari.
“The road does not only link us with the Federal Capital Territory but also serves as our main gateway to Lagos,” he said.
On the two roads executed by the State, the Governor said that they would enhance the economic activities of the State as both roads serve as major links for evacuation of farm and animal produce of the communities along the corridors.
“The road passes through a vast area of farmlands and many farming communities of Kebbi, Sokoto and Zamfara States will benefit from it,” he said.
The Inter-Ministerial Committee has the Minister of Works and Housing as the Chairman and the members include; Ministers of Transportation, Education, Finance, Works and Housing (State), as well as the Permanent Secretaries of Works and Housing and that of the Cabinet Office and the Director, Bureau of Public Procurement.
The Committee’s delegation to Kebbi State for the verification was led by the Minister of State for Works and Housing, Engr. Abubakar Aliyu, and the Permanent Secretary, Cabinet Office in the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF).
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