The Ondo State Governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu says the federal government would need to refund a total of N7 billion to the state, being the amount spent by the state government to fix federal roads.
He made this known while receiving the minister of state for transport, Gbemisola Saraki, and other officials at the governor’s office, Alagbaka in Akure, the state capital.
Ms Saraki’s visit had to do with the verification of federal government road projects fixed by the state for possible reimbursement.
Recall that the federal government had earlier taken a position not to refund unverified monies spent by the state governments in the repair of federal roads as a result of the claims by state government that they spent huge amounts on federal road projects.
President Muhammadu Buhari was reportedly presented a bill of about N1 trillion when he assumed office in 2015 as the aggregate amount being owed states by the federal government for federal road repairs.
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The Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, during his visit to Ondo State November last year, also reiterated the position, saying the federal government would not pay any refund until properly verified.
But Governor Akeredolu expressed optimism that by the time the federal government officials completed their verification and carried out its deductions, the state should be able to receive over N5 billion.
He noted that such repayment would go a long way in assisting the state on project execution and payment of salary arrears as well as lay ground work for the actualization of a port in Ondo, adding that these projects are crucial to the success of his administration.
He said the idea was to decongest Lagos State and open up the riverine area in Ondo State for better economic activities.
Meanwhile, Mrs Saraki assured the state governor that her team would be fair as they carried out their verification exercise.
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