FG roads: Wike eyes project refund, Tinubu replies “I owe you nothing”

…Says “you have to lobby me to collect it”

…We are entitled to refund — Wike

…Says refund will encourage other states to intervene on critical FG projects

…As ‘no refund’ policy subsists

Demands placed by Rivers State Governor, Mr. Nyesom Wike hoping for a refund from the incoming Federal Government to be led by President-elect, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu over federal road projects executed by his government, were apparently turned down  as Tinubu made a shocking comment saying “I owe you nothing.”

Wike’s request came on the heels of expectations for a refund for the construction of some federal roads which the State executed.

Recall Rivers is one with four other States of Cross River, Ondo, Bayelsa and Osun which claims for refunds over projects done on federal roads were rejected in 2020 on grounds that they did not establish proper documentation to warrant a refund.

The Federal Government had consequently since 2020 stopped the refund policy, citing issues of fouls play.

Wike who played host to the President-elect as the special guest for the commissioning  of the Rumuokwuta-Rumuola Flyover in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State on Wednesday, mentioned how the State had to amend its procurement law to enable it source funds for various projects executed and completed in record time, noting that road projects within the purview of the Federal Government were undertaken by the State, using its resources.

“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,” Wike demanded.

However in an apparent shocking response, the President-elect though acknowledged the projects, yet said he owes the State “nothing,” saying it is Rivers people “living on the road.”

“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 effort. You have to lobby me to collect it,” he said.

Tinubu who recounted he went through what he described as a “gruesome campaign” to win the 2023 presidential election, however promised he would leave no part of the country marginalised.

“I went through a gruesome campaign, fought hard, supported by many of you, and I won,” he said.

“I will leave legacy projects across the length and breadth of Nigeria. I will never forget the pivotal role the great and wonderful people of this State (Rivers) played in my victorious campaign to become the next President of this country. You have my eternal gratitude.

“In his excellency, Governor Wike, I see a man of principle. He took a principled stand that the presidency should be returned to the South; and he had the courage to stand by his convictions, not minding whose ox was gored.

“He is, indeed, a man of great integrity. He did not choose to serve his own interests, but rather, the interests of the nation and the people of Rivers State. I thank him for his selfless leadership,” he said.

Wike had on the heels of playing host to the President-elect for commissioning of the project declared a public holiday for the State, though the development generated knocks and mixed reactions.

Recall that the Federal Government had in June 2020 cancelled the refund policy where the Federal Government refund State Governments for projects executed with State funds on behalf of the Federal Government.

Citing issues of foul play and controversial demands, the Federal Government had also required any State willing to execute project on federal roads without the intention of repayment must equally seek its permission for supervision by the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing.

On the development, the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, had after the third virtual cabinet meeting chaired by President Muhammadu Buhari in 2020, said the FEC had approved the refund of N148.1 billion to five States spent on federal roads because of the new guidelines.

The refund had included N18.3 billion to Cross River, N7.8b to Ondo, N2.4billion to Osun, N38billlion to Bayelsa and N78.9billion to Rivers.

Mohammed had said over N500 billion had earlier been paid to 31 States.

“You will recall that in 2016, 36 States of the Federation sent a very huge bill to the Federal Government, asking for compensation for money that they have expended on federal roads.

“This prompted Mr President to set up a committee to go and verify the claims of these 36 states, whether indeed these projects were actually constructed and completed in line with the Federal Government standards.

“At the end of that exercise by an inter-ministerial committee, chaired by the honorable Minister of Works and Housing but also had Ministers of Education, Transportation, Finance, Minister of State for Works, DG BPP and Permanent Secretary, Cabinet Office as members.

“At the end of that exercise, the committee recommended that the Federal Government should refund N550,364,297.31 billion to 31 of the 36 States, after they were convinced that, yes indeed, the projects were completed and there were Federal Government roads.

“But the claims of five other States, Cross River, Rivers, Ondo, Bayelsa and Osun failed on the grounds that they did not do proper documentation and the committee felt they needed proper documentation,” he had said.

The Minister had added that the committees confirmed the roads and the bridges built about 10 years ago were not only completed but also in substantially good form.

“There is a caveat, the Federal Government will pay the states, however, henceforth, if any State takes on Federal Government road, it will not be paid, they will not get any refund.

“Even if you want to pay from your own pocket, you will still need the permission of the Federal Government and it will be supervised by the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing,” he had disclosed.