Tinubu sets the tone on road maintenance saying his government will not refund states anything

PRESIDENT-elect Asiwaju Bola Tinubu has set the tone for his administration's stance on road maintenance by telling Governor Nyesom Wike that the Rivers State government will not be reimbursed for projects it recently undertook.

Yesterday, Asiwaju Tinubu arrived in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital at the invitation of Governor Wike. During the visit, he commissioned several road projects, during which Governor Wike asked for the state to be reimbursed for the money spent on them as these were federal roads, whose upkeep should have been paid for by Abuja.

Governor Wike explained that his government had to amend its procurement law to source for funds to complete some flyovers in the state capital which are federal government projects. He added that he could not wait to see those projects uncompleted because they are federal projects, hence, he had to complete them, using Rivers State funds.

“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,” Governor Wike added.

Rejecting this request, however, Asiwaju Tinubu said he owed Rivers State nothing, pointing out that the roads were for the benefit of local people. According to the president-elect, it is the people of Rivers State that will use the roads, so it is only appropriate the their government pays to maintain them.