C’River May Lose N13bn To Federal Roads-Official

Although the Cross-River State Government claimed it spent
N13 billion on the rehabilitation of federal roads in the last seven years, it
might not get refunds because it failed to follow specified  guidelines.

Federal Controller of Works in Cross River State, Mr
Chinwuba Agbara, stated the position in an interview with The Tide in Calabar
at the weekend.

The Cross River State Commissioner for Works, Mr Legor
Idagbo, had told our correspondent that the state government spent the sum in
repairing the roads following the lukewarm attitude of Federal Government
agencies over the poor state of the roads.

Idagbo said that the state government was worried that the
federal agencies in-charge of the roads seemed unperturbed about the deplorable
state of the roads and, therefore, decided to rehabilitate them.

He observed that the state government expected refunds from
the Federal Government for the job it did, but regretted that the state could
not be reimbursed because it did not meet the guidelines.

‘’ If they can follow the guidelines, they are very sure
that whatever they spent on those roads will be reimbursed.

“If they have spent N13 billion on the roads and the roads
are not in order that means they have not been following the guidelines.

“Otherwise, the roads will be motorable by now and be in a
perfect condition.

“That is why they should follow the guidelines so that
whatever they spend will be seen by the road users.

“They have to write through my office to the Minister of
Works seeking approval for intervention on federal roads and the minister will
also intimate the Presidency that the state wants to do this.

“And if they have presidential approval, they can be sure
that every financial year there will be supervision for the particular job
under the state.

“They should also make sure that there is joint supervision.
These are the terms they should be carrying the federal works along,’’ he said.

Agbara, however, said that the Federal Ministry of Works had
instructed the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA) to start palliative
work on Odukpani Road.