The continued delay by the federal government to remit N140 billion spent by the Akwa Ibom State government on federal roads in the state has affected the number of roads that would been executed in the state.
State Commissioner for Works, Mr. Ephraim Inyang-Eyen told reporters yesterday in Uyo that the FG owes Akwa Ibom state not less than N140billion being amount expended by the state government on the construction and rehabilitation of federal roads in the state.
He said the Governor Udom Emmanuel administration is currently handling 44 major road projects across the state despite the huge amount owed by the FG.
The works commissioner stressed that the non-refund of the whooping sum has negatively affected the pace of work and number of roads that would have been done across the length and breadth of the state.
His words, “We are currently doing 44 roads in Akwa Ibom. If the federal government had refunded even a kobo to us, we would have done 80.
“The federal government is owing us in the region of N140billion. And from genuine approvals and verified positions, they came to the conclusion that in the first tranche, they will give us N70 billion as the first payment.
” They (FG) also said that at the completion and verification as the other jobs are ongoing they will pay us the balance but as we sit today, the FG has not refunded any money, not even a dime to the Akwa Ibom state government.
“But we are hopeful. His Excellency the Governor keeps getting promises and assurances from Abuja that he would be paid but as at today, nothing yet”.
Inyang-eyen said the achievements recorded by the administration in roads infrastructure and other key areas was due to Governor Emmanuel’s prudence in the management of the lean resources which accrues to the state.
He said the state government has rehabilitated 45 internal roads in Uyo, the state capital, 8 in Oron and Eket adding that such interventions have been extended to other local government areas in the state.
