Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State has called for the release of N23.7 billion he claims as outstanding of certified reimbursement expenditure for rehabilitation of federal roads in the state between 2007 and 2018.
He made the call when members of the Senate Committee on Works paid him a courtesy visit in Enugu on Thursday.
The governor recalled that the state government was invited to a national ad hoc committee on promissory note programme and bond issuance to settle the inherited local debts and contractual obligations on June 4, 2018.
“During the occasion, it was established that Enugu was owed the sum of N35.8 billion for interventions of federal road from 2007 to 2018 and was certified for reimbursement.
“With this intervention, Enugu State complied substantially with the condition for rehebilitation of federal roads, including awarding this project in accordance with Federal Government specifications through the Federal Ministry of Works’ rate.”
He said that the ad hoc committee had explained that only 13.5 billion was approved for reinvestment in the state by the Federal Ministry of Finance.
“Out of the above sum, the state has received the sum of N12. 2 billion,” he said.
Ugwuanyi, while appreciating the members for the visit, said he was optimistic that it would accelerate the delivery of the ongoing federal highway in the state.
“I passionately implore you to lead the advocacy and administrative action that will facilitate the reimbursement of outstanding certified sum owed Enugu for intervention of federal roads in the state,’’ he said.
Chairman of the Committee Sen. Adamu Aliero said that there was no reason why the money should not have been paid.
“I could remember in the 8th Senate, governors submitted their bills to the Federal Government and the president approved their bills and even passed them through the National Assembly.
“Because of that, bonds were raised and the money was paid to over 15 state governors.
“I can assure you that we are going to the ministry of works and if possible talk to the inister of finance to see how we can assist to ensure this money is paid.
“N23 billion is a lot of money to a state government and you can do quite a lot; you can put this money in good use such as education, health and rural electrification,’’ he said.
Aliero noted that Enugu State had about 19 federal projects which was the highest in the country and called on the governor to ensure they were completed on time.
“This is because we need you to also put pressure on federal government; not only the committee should do that work, the governor also has the responsibility of monitoring all road projects in the state and ensuring that they are completed on time,’’ he said.
