FG Begins Rehabilitation Of Federal Roads

The Federal Government is to begin the rehabilitation of federal roads across the country, the Minister of Works, Mr Mike Onolememen, has said.

The minister, who announced this in Benin on Saturday, said the initiative to be known as “ Operation Patch all Federal Roads’’ would address the challenge of deplorable roads in the country.

Onolememen spoke at a PDP stake-holders meeting on the state of federal roads in the state.

He said FERMA, which would be the ministry’s consultant, had been given two months to complete all jobs.

“ I want to assure you that we are making sure that road users are not subjected to hardship not just for a period but as a sign of change and development in the country,’’ he added.

The minister gave an assurance that his ministry would ensure that roads were put in proper shape to ensure safety of lives and property

He also said Edo, with its major entry points from the South-West, was witnessing various construction and rehabilitation efforts.

Onolememen also rejected the demand by the Lagos Government for the revocation of the concession contract on the Lagos-Ibadan road, saying it would send a wrong signal to investors.

“Contracts are guided by certain articles. It is an agreement entered into and it is only the Federal Government that can make adjustments and specifications.

“The Public-Private Partnership model will deliver and we don’t have to start with revoking projects; adjustments while supervising should be encouraged rather,’’ he said.

Our correspondent  reports that a reception was later held for Onolememen and Mr Mike Oghiadomhe, the Chief of Staff to the President.