By Mercy James, Abeokuta
The Federal Government has given the Ogun State Government the go ahead to reconstruct the Lagos-Ota-Abeokuta road with the promise to bear 40% of the reconstruction cost.
The Minister of Works, Engr Dave Umahi who made this known during his visit to the Governor of Ogun State, Prince Dapo Abiodun in his Oke-Mosan office, disclosed that the period of bureaucracy in the approval for the construction of roads in the country is over.
Umahi, while noting that State Governments should be seen as corporate entities, opined that there is no reason for state governments to be denied the opportunity to invest, repair and own roads within their states.
" People should begin to look at a state as a corporate entity, if you are looking for investors to come and invest on our roads to construct, to own, to maintain and tow, why shouldn't a state do that?
" So, on this Lagos-Ota-Abeokuta road, I want us to work together, we've done 30% of the work, you can own 60%, we own 40% and you can do your own portion of the 60%, you can give it to a contractor of your choice.
" I don't believe in bureaucracy, we cannot reset the economy with the type of bureaucracy we have.
“If I get your request on these, we handle it under our HDMI initiative immediately, by WhatsApp, I will respond to you," he said.
While charging state Governors to fix roads in their state, irrespective of whether they belong to the Federal or the State Government, said he would ensure that approvals for construction of roads are dealt with in good time.
" Let me thank you for the fantastic work you are doing and nobody is saying in Ogun State that this is Federal Road, this is State Road, when the people are suffering, they don't understand which one is which.
" Fix the roads and we will talk about who owns it, yes, touch the lives of the people, that is what Governor Sanwoolu and Abiodun is doing and many other Governors are doing it.
"Anyone that is shouting and complaining is playing politics, I am challenging anyone seeking for approval, just send a WhatsApp message, in less than 30 minutes, I will discuss with you and give you approval to start," he said.
Earlier in his remarks, the Ogun State Governor; Prince Dapo Abiodun while commending the Federal Government for bringing a new lease of life into the way and manner that approvals are given for the construction of roads, said that he is glad that the people of the state and the country as a whole would start to enjoy good roads.
Abiodun who also bemoaned the decision of the Federal Government to commence the reconstruction of the Sagamu-Ore Road from Benin State, said that it is his believe that the Federal Government would help to fast track the reconstruction of the Sagamu end of the Sagamu-Ore Road.
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