Refund states for Federal Road projects, Gowon tells FG

Former Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon (rtd), has appealed to the Federal Government to refund state governments that fixed federal roads in their states.

Gowon, who unveiled the N9.9 billion 1.7km interchange flyover of British-American junction and dualisation to Lamingo roundabout in Jos, Plateau State, yesterday, showered praises on Governor Simon Lalong for transforming the state.

According to the former head of state, Lalong is doing exceptionally well by developing infrastructure across state.

“I urge you to do your best and make sure you left a legacy for the incoming administration to come and continue,” Gowon told the governor.

Lalong said he was embarking on the project to decongest the city, adding that the state government expended over N12 billion on road infrastructure around the state.

“To tackle challenges of insecurity in the state and create an enabling environment for business to thrive, this administration embarked on the installation of solar-powered street lights within Jos metropolis under ‘Operation Light Up Plateau’ at the initial cost of N2.7 billion covering 72km.

“This has greatly enhanced the security of lives and property and impacted on the beauty of the metropolis. We are making efforts to continue with the next phase of the project to ensure that our major cities and towns are lit up,” he stated.

The Commissioner for Works, Plateau State, Pam Botmang, acknowledged that from the contractors available, Craneburg Construction Company Limited made the best and most realistic submission, as it brought a financial institution, Access Bank, which agreed to provide all the funds for the construction of the projects to completion.

Botmang confirmed the project would be completed in 12 months.

In his remarks, the project contractor, Alhaji Nasiru Daru, said “this is the demonstration of partnership between Plateau and Craneburg” and promised to execute bridge in good time.

Dignitaries present at the epoch-making ceremony include Governors Abubakar Bello of Niger State and AbdulRahaman AbdulRazak of Kwara, as well as the deputy governor of Edo State Philip Shaibu.