Port Harcourt, May 3, 2023 – Bola Tinubu, the President-elect, on Wednesday turned down a request for refund for some federal roads reconstructed by the state made by Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike,
Tinubu, while inaugurating the Rumuokwuta-Rumuola Flyover in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State, had responded tersely: “For the 12th flyover and the demand you made for refund, I owe you nothing. It is your road.
“You can’t chuckle at me and make a demand. You are the one living on this road.
“I commend your efforts. You have to lobby me to collect it.”
Wike had said the projects undertaken by the state ought to be done by the Federal Government and the state had to amend its procurement law to enable it to source funds and complete the various flyover projects in embarked up in record time.
“And unfortunately, too, these projects ought to be Federal Government projects because they are federal roads.
“If we had said because they are Federal Government roads, and we won’t do it. Who are those to suffer?
“Since we have said we don’t want our people to suffer, I also believe that the Federal Government should say look, you have done well for us.
“These are projects we should be doing, can you bring your bill, let us refund you the money you have done these roads.
“That is what it is supposed to be for a partnership with a good Federal Government.
“I can assure you as you enter the office and you approve to pay this money back, other states will have the courage to also do the same thing.
“I am not asking what we are not entitled to. The Federal Government should say you are a true son of this government you have removed shame from us.” (GBN)
