AKURE, Nigeria — With the midnight expiration of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration on May 28, 2023, looming, the federal government responded robustly to critics questioning their continuous awarding of contracts and external borrowing.
The Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, firmly announced on Thursday, May 25, 2023, during the groundbreaking of the N 90 billion Akure/Ado-Ekiti highway dualisation project that contract awarding would continue until the administration’s term officially ends.
“People are asking why we are still awarding contracts when we have just a few days to go. Should we stop this road now and wait for the next government?” questioned Fashola at the event in Akure, the Ondo state capital. “It is a juvenile conversation.”
This statement comes as the government aims to refurbish the 49km dilapidated highway, which has raised eyebrows among critics due to the administration’s nearing end.
Fashola refuted critics’ allegations that he has a bias against the people of Ekiti and Ondo States and explained that the road project, which will be completed within the next 24 months, had to be meticulously designed before work could commence.
The Minister stressed that infrastructure development often comes at a cost to taxpayers, saying the project will be funded through tax credits provided by NNPC, not through debt.
“It is going to come at a cost. You want the road, and you will say that Buhari is borrowing too much money. This road is not funded by debt but through tax credits,” Fashola clarified.
Addressing the controversial Procurement Act, Fashola urged the 10th National Assembly to amend the law as its procedures were seen as slowing the country’s progress.
“Its intention is good, but the processes slow down the country,” he said.
The Minister of State for Transport, Ademola Adegoroye, also present at the ceremony, commended Fashola for his commitment to infrastructure development.
He stressed the importance of the Akure-Ado road for the local people, stating that it will “create good commerce” and will be seen through to completion by the government, despite the administration change.
Both Ondo state governor, represented by Infrastructure, lands, and Housing Commissioner Raimi Aminu, and Ekiti state governor, represented by Head of Service Dele Agbede, voiced their support for the project and encouraged their residents to back the contractors to ensure timely completion.
It was gathered that the first section of the road project on the Ondo side was awarded to two construction companies at the cost of N46.6 billion, while the remaining balance of N49.2 billion will fund the second section from the Ekiti State border.
Construction is expected to commence simultaneously from both state borders.
