By Mashe Umaru Gwamna
The Minister of Works and Housing Babatunde Fashola,wants state governments that are desiring to built roads in their states must be prepared to pay compensations to citizens whose lands enter road construction plans.
The minister said this at Agaie road construction site near Bida in Niger state during a 2-day inspection of highway projects recently in Niger state.
According to him every road project must of necessity pass through somebody’s land.
“It is the responsible of the state government and local governments to settle these challenges so that the Federal Government can face the problem of funding the construction of these roads
“I believe that we will help where we could, the stand of the government is that the states that want to see these roads delivered must deal with these challenges.
“One of the issues that bring about such challenges is the land use act which is over 40 years.
“The complain of funding is already in the public view that is why you members of the press has been askesy to join on thies tour to see the real state of things.
“The concern of Nigerians on government borrowing is legitimate but the borrowing should be weighed along with the problems they are used to solve.
“People need the infrastructure if they can see that the money borrowed is being used to deliver critical infrastructure then their queries could be assuaged,”Fashola said.
The minister added that a country’s state of development was also measured by its road infrastructure.
He further said that good awareness and sensitisation should be done to education people on the fact that most roads were well built it was the misuse and over loading of vehicle that cause the to deteriorate before time.
The minister was received in Agaie by the royal father of Agaie the Etsu of Agaie Alh. Yusuf Nuhu and his chiefs
The road is among one of the five roads being inspected is a 124.88km road which commenced from Lambata town passing through Lapai to Agaie and will terminate at Bida.
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