Cross River Govt. Receives N250m Refund from FG for repairs of Federal Roads—official
FeaturedNigeria April 13, 2016 Dianabasi Effiong
Gov. Ben Ayade
Diana Okon-Effiong, calabar
The Cross River State Government says it received N250 million refund so far from the Federal Government on repairs of Federal Roads. This was disclosed by the Commissioner for Works, Mr. Dane Osim-Asu, in an interactive session with some journalists in the state.
Osim-Asu also stated that the amount was too meagre when compared to the amount the state government injected to actualise the rehabilitation of such roads in the state.
The commissioner declined to state the amount the state was demanding as reimbursement for the repairs of federal roads.
But reliable sources told our correspondent that the state is demanding N25 billion reimbursement from the Federal Government as refunds for the rehabilitation of federal roads in Cross River.
Osim-asu also alleged that out of the 36 states in the country, the state got the least refund of N250 million from the Federal Government for the rehabilitation of federal roads in the state between 2006 and 2016.
The commissioner said: “If you go round the entire South-South region of Nigeria you will discover that the state of Federal roads is worst in Cross River State. I have mentioned this and taken up in several fora and met the Minister twice on this and he has promised to visit and see things for himself”.
Osim-asu also alleged that out of the 36 states in the country, the state got the least refund of N250 million from the Federal Government for the rehabilitation of federal roads in the state between 2006 and 2016.
The commissioner said: “If you go round the entire South-South region of Nigeria you will discover that the state of Federal roads is worst in Cross River State. I have mentioned this and taken up in several fora and met the Minister twice on this and he has promised to visit and see things for himself”.
“The problem of access of Calabar-Itu highway has become incessant. In most cases that road is rendered impassable for months either by heavy rains or heavy traffic. As a result the state government has moved in repeatedly to provide palliatives to rehabilitate that road. But know also that if state government rehabilitates federal roads, there ought to be a reimbursement.
“It will interest you to know that in the South-South and indeed the entire country, Cross River State government has received the least reimbursement on its rehabilitation on federal highway projects or roads.We have received only a paltry N250 million. Other states come in and request for a reimbursement of N34 billion, N54 billion and Oyo state brought N202 billion and everybody shouted and we have a modest request for reimbursement.
“From 2006 up to 2016, looking at how much federal government reimbursed through federal Ministry of Works to states, Cross River state is the least with N250 million.The lowest paid states received N3 billion, N5 billion upwards. This is not because there was no efforts on our own parts, we are working very hard on that.”
Osim-Asu said Gov. Ben Ayade’s administration in Cross River desired to take over the Calabar-Itu Federal Highway by means of a tolled Superhighway.
“We thought that we should be able to take over the Calabar-Itu Federal Highway by means of a tolled Superhighway. We wrote for that to the President through the Minister. I have taken that up as well at various fora. The Federal Ministry of Works has made a provision of N6 billion for the construction of that road.When we confronted them they said that that was the provision for first phase but we know that amount cannot dualise that road, so we are still questioning and pursuing it and believing that they create a political solution to that.
“We are opting for a 35 year toll concession of that stretch of road that will give us time to construct that road because our people are suffering.We are not happy as a state, as a responsible government. And that is what engendered our application in the first instance. That is where we are at the moment. The federal government needs to bring the necessary influence to bear to ensure they heed to our application,’’ Osim-Asu said.
“We are opting for a 35 year toll concession of that stretch of road that will give us time to construct that road because our people are suffering.We are not happy as a state, as a responsible government. And that is what engendered our application in the first instance. That is where we are at the moment. The federal government needs to bring the necessary influence to bear to ensure they heed to our application,’’ Osim-Asu said.
He also stated that there were hopes for the the East West road expected to traverse parts of Cross River State when completed.
” The East West road section five takes off from Oron and terminates in Calabar. As at last week Thursday the Federal Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs invited us and Akwa Ibom state government to a stakeholders forum and it was announced that they are about to commence section five.
“I want you to put it on record that section five starts from Oron and terminates in Calabar and it supposed to come in and stop at Jebs in Calabar South, Afokang with a five kilometre spur from Jebs and emptying in Watt market. But the traffic challenge we have already without a dual carriage way in Watt market is hectic.
“For us we took it up as challenge and as a government because it will disrupt the peace of the city and it will be a constrictions bringing in a four lane highway into Watt market at the thickest population base of the city. Emtying a superhighway into a city centre is against any known aspect of design in the world and for us it will distort the cultural travel part of our people and it will engender very huge compensations.
“We had to do a random opinion on some people asking if they will be to take a compensation of N600 million they said over their dead bodies. That they will not leave their traditional settlements. So we are saying that we will be the benefiting state and the emerging state is Akwa Ibom, so we have a stake and we are supporting the realignment of that road.
“It is common knowledge that from where it ought to be and cut across to Adiabo in Tinapa or Odukpani junction. It makes sense that you don’t compound our existing traffic situation in the state which we are trying to solve and also to increase its economic relevance and importance. That way it will cut across more communities and provide access.
“So we have a very strong opinion that the road be realigned. We have made that representation and we are going forward with that. Am very certain that it will commence this year and we are thinking that those communities Ikoneto, Creektown and others will have more access to the people and development and settlement will emerge from there”.
“For us we took it up as challenge and as a government because it will disrupt the peace of the city and it will be a constrictions bringing in a four lane highway into Watt market at the thickest population base of the city. Emtying a superhighway into a city centre is against any known aspect of design in the world and for us it will distort the cultural travel part of our people and it will engender very huge compensations.
“We had to do a random opinion on some people asking if they will be to take a compensation of N600 million they said over their dead bodies. That they will not leave their traditional settlements. So we are saying that we will be the benefiting state and the emerging state is Akwa Ibom, so we have a stake and we are supporting the realignment of that road.
“It is common knowledge that from where it ought to be and cut across to Adiabo in Tinapa or Odukpani junction. It makes sense that you don’t compound our existing traffic situation in the state which we are trying to solve and also to increase its economic relevance and importance. That way it will cut across more communities and provide access.
“So we have a very strong opinion that the road be realigned. We have made that representation and we are going forward with that. Am very certain that it will commence this year and we are thinking that those communities Ikoneto, Creektown and others will have more access to the people and development and settlement will emerge from there”.
“The 260 km Superhighway project is embedded by the Ministry of Infrastructure. Geo technical Surveys have been carried out, wet and dry samples for EIA carried out by project consultants. The project is overseen by Infracross that is Cross River Infrastructure Company Ltd board.
“It is regrettable that outside playing politics indegenes of the state in the name of politics could petition the project. As a result the Federal Ministry of Environment through NOSDRA issued a stop work order… The consultants doing the EIA are in top gear and in a matter of weeks that report will be advertised. But about 20 to 30 percent of earth work have been completed in terms of clearing crossing the canal from Bakassi right to Ikom-Bekwara.
“It is regrettable that outside playing politics indegenes of the state in the name of politics could petition the project. As a result the Federal Ministry of Environment through NOSDRA issued a stop work order… The consultants doing the EIA are in top gear and in a matter of weeks that report will be advertised. But about 20 to 30 percent of earth work have been completed in terms of clearing crossing the canal from Bakassi right to Ikom-Bekwara.
Dianabasi Effiong
