The Enugu State Government said it will continue to rehabilitate failed federal roads in the state in line with its plans to alleviate the sufferings of the people, in spite of the fact that the federal government has not refunded the state the over N25billion spent on federal roads.
Speaking during an inspection tour of the ongoing rehabilitation work at Agu-abor interchange slip federal road-New Market roundabout, Enugu, the state’s Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Engr. Patrick Ikpenwa, disclosed that the federal government has not yet reimbursed the state the fund, adding that the Gov. Ugwuanyi-led administration’s commitment to good governance and massive infrastructural development, despite the severe economic crunch in the country, remains sacrosanct and firm.
Engr. Ikpenwa explained that apart from the state government’s intervention on federal roads, the present administration in the state has been able to execute numerous massive development projects across the state, especially in the rural areas aimed at touching the lives of ordinary citizens positively and creating more urban centres for socio-economic expansion.
He added that Gov. Ugwuanyi was desirous of executing more infrastructural projects in the state, saying that the refund of the amount spent by the state on federal roads will facilitate the full actualization of the grassroots development agenda of the present administration.
“We have done a lot in infrastructure. We have been able to construct quality roads, both federal and state, that will last for a very long time. We have recorded tremendous success in the over 35 development projects that are going on simultaneously across the 17 Local Government Areas of the state. I am happy that the entrance and exit roads to the state capital, Enugu, through Enugu-Onitsha expressway, which are federal government roads, are now wearing a new look because of our interventions.
“The state government has spent quite a lot on federal roads and it is expected that once the money is refunded, we will apply it to more infrastructural development, especially in line with our plans to open up more urban areas to give our people in the rural communities a sense of belonging.
“In view of the above, we, therefore, still appeal to the federal government to refund Enugu State Government the money it spent on federal government roads in the state, which amounts to over N25billion, in appreciation of the state government’s gesture in rehabilitating the roads for the overall interest of the public, especially road users”, Engr. Ikpenwa added.
