Abia Governor Alex Otti says the state will not receive reimbursement for fixing federal roads, explaining that the Federal Government’s policy allows tolling instead of repayment.
Governor Alex Otti has dismissed speculation that Abia State would receive reimbursement for federal roads rehabilitated by the state government, saying there is no such arrangement with the Federal Government.
Speaking during his monthly media interactive session on Friday night, Otti said the current policy of the Federal Government allows states to toll roads they repair if they intend to recover their investments.
According to him, rumours suggesting that Abia was expecting repayment were driven by misinformation.
He reiterated his administration’s commitment to fixing roads across the state, regardless of ownership, noting that residents use both federal and state routes.
“Before we jump on any federal road, we have long engagements with the Federal Government and those roads must be ceded to us in writing,” he said.
Otti also addressed compensation concerns surrounding the Umuahia–Ikot Ekpene Road rehabilitation, stating that he expected the Federal Government to handle compensation since the project had earlier been awarded without funding.
“We always pay compensation in any route we are entering. But then, my understanding is that if there is any compensation to be paid, the Federal Government should have done so because the route was actually awarded but was not funded,” he said.
The governor noted that the state had undertaken rehabilitation of critical federal roads, including the Umuahia–Ikot Ekpene Road, Owerrinta–Umuikaa dual carriageway and Ohafia–Arochukwu Road.
He also reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to establishing a state police structure, adding that preparations were ongoing.
“The new General Manager for Homeland Security is working with his team to get us ready once the whistle is blown,” he said.
Otti ruled out possible defection from the Labour Party, stating that he would seek re-election on the party’s platform in 2027.
He added that the Supreme Court of Nigeria ruling had settled the party’s leadership dispute and urged interested Nigerians to register for membership.
The governor further described progress on the newly introduced electric buses as encouraging, noting that 30 additional buses were expected by July, bringing the total fleet to 50.
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