Lagos State Government has appealed to the Federal Government to pay the N51bn it spent on repairs of federal roads in the state.
The government said the payment of the money would enable the government to embark on new projects.
The Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, who made the appeal at a ministerial briefing, said the non-payment of the money had hindered rapid development of more roads in the state.
Hamzat said he could not explain why the FG had not paid what it owed the state. “If the money is paid, it will help the state government to complete such projects as Ago-Palace Way Road, Ejigbo-Idimu Road and Ayobo-Ipaja Road, among others,” he added.
He said the state government had continued to engage the Federal Government in meaningful dialogue, hoping that would facilitate the payment of the money.
The commissioner, who put the number of jobs created through infrastructure development and renewal around 49,742, assured residents that more jobs would be created in the future.
He added that the state government had been able to create 49,742 jobs through its policy designed to patronise local contractors and at the same time develop manpower in strategic sectors like construction.
He therefore put the number of road project currently being implemented across the state precisely at 261, noting that 161 were awarded in 2012 while 100 others took off under the current fiscal regime.
Of the 261 awarded projects, the commissioner noted that 82 roads, equivalent of 112.75 kilometres, “have been fully completed while 255 roads, totalled 210.26 kilometres, are yet to be completed”.
He condemned indiscriminate dumping of waste on the roads and drainages and activities of roadside mechanics and car-wash operators.
Meanwhile, the state government is seeking the assistance of the United Kingdom in attracting investors in the energy and solid mineral sector into the state.
Commissioner for Energy and Mineral resources, Mr. Taofiq Tijani, said this in his office while hosting the British Deputy High Commissioner, Mr. Peter Carter.
The commissioner, while briefing the DHC and his team on the activities of his ministry, said Lagos was considering the use of CNG for vehicles operating in the state.
Responding, Carter, while discussing various business opportunities which abound in the UK, promised to keep the ministry updated on areas of mutual interest.
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