The federal government cannot refund money spent on federal roads by states for now, says works minister David Umahi.

Mr Umahi said this on Thursday when he visited Governor Seyi Makinde in Ibadan.

“The economy right now will not permit any commitment by the federal government. However, records of such road projects done by the states would be kept and could be revisited when the economy improves,” stated Mr Umahi.

The minister commended Mr Makinde for his administration’s intervention in road projects. He said the intervention was alleviating the suffering of people.

“Be it state or federal roads, we are one government. The aim and oath of office is to place the welfare of the people ahead of any other interest,” added Mr Umahi.

Mr Umahi urged the Oyo governor to embrace concrete pavement technology in road construction projects, saying it is more durable and less expensive than asphalt roads.

He said road projects with concrete pavement in Lagos were successful, adding that he built almost 95 per cent of road projects on concrete pavement as Ebonyi governor.

The minister said he was touring federal government road projects in the South-West. Mr Umahi said he had met with all the contractors handling road projects in the North-West, North-Central and South-West in Abuja.

“After the meeting, I decided to visit these projects to know the quality of work done and other things on the ground,” said Mr Umahi.

He further sought more cooperation from the Oyo state government in achieving success on the federal government’s projects in Oyo.

(NAN)