Governor Sule appeals to FG for reimbursement of funds spent on federal highways

By David Odama

Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State has renewed his call on the Federal Government to reimburse the state for the huge sums it has continued to spend fixing federal highways within its borders.

Governor Sule renewed the appeal at the weekend, while inspecting the progress of work on the Mararaba twin flyover meant to find lasting solution to traffic congestion in the area.

According to the Governor, since his assumption of office in 2019, his administration has intervened by building critical infrastructure on federal roads in the state to include the Lafia flyover and underpass, the Akwanga flyover and underpass along the Keffi-Wamba and Jos-Makurdi corridors, the Keffi flyover along the Keffi-Abuja highway, the bridge at Kilema on the Lafia-Doma federal highway, and now the N39 billion twin flyover project in Mararaba.

He disclosed that his administration has been formally engaging the Federal Government to explore reimbursement for the cost of these federal highway interventions, given that the projects were undertaken as interventions on behalf of the Federal Government rather than responsibilities of the state.

On whether or not the reimbursement comes while he remains in office, Governor Sule noted that the important thing is that the people of Nasarawa State and Nigerians travelling through the state continue to benefit from safer and better roads.

He described those who dismiss the state government’s contribution as being driven by frustration, insisting that no amount of politics would stop his administration from delivering the infrastructure the people deserve.

He recalled making the same clarification when the Lafia flyover and underpass was completed, where he thanked the Federal Government only for the dualisation of the Keffi-Akwanga-Lafia-Makurdi road, while insisting that the flyover and underpass themselves were entirely a Nasarawa State Government project.

On the progress of work on the Mararaba flyover, Governor Sule disclosed that the first side of the structure had progressed enough for vehicles to be driven to the top, with filling work expected to be completed by the end of August, after which work would shift fully to the second side for a targeted September completion.

He commended the contractor, Triacta Nigeria Limited, for working ahead of schedule despite the rainy season and heavy traffic, and appealed to traders occupying sections of the construction site to vacate immediately so as not to further delay the project.

The Governor equally appreciated the agency supervising the project, the Nasarawa Urban Developement Agency (NUDA) led by Engineer Muhammad Yahaya Wada, as well as the people of Karu Local Government Area led by the council chairman and the Esu Karu, HRH Pharmacist Luka Panya Baba, for their continued support.