Akpabio Pledges to Help Ekiti Recover Billions Spent on Federal Infrastructure
- Senate President Godswill Akpabio has promised to engage President Tinubu for the refund of over N15bn spent by the Ekiti State Government on a federal road
- Akpabio also directed the Senate Committee on Appropriation to prioritize funding for the Ado-Ijan Road linking to the new Ekiti Agro-Allied Cargo Airport
- During the convocation ceremony of EKSU, political leaders shared reflections, while Governor Oyebanji reaffirmed commitment to education and youth empowerment
Senate President Godswill Akpabio has assured that he will take up the matter of refunding over N15 billion spent by the Ekiti State Government on a key federal road with President Bola Tinubu.
Speaking at the 29th convocation ceremony of Ekiti State University in Ado-Ekiti over the weekend, Akpabio acknowledged the financial burden borne by the state in rehabilitating the Ado-Iworoko-Ifaki Road—an infrastructure project originally under federal jurisdiction.
Nigerian senate president pledges to refund Ekiti state government’s expenditure on a federal road. Image: FB/Godswill Obot AkpabioSource: Facebook
Akpabio vows to urge President Tinubu to refund
He pledged to lobby the President to ensure the funds are reimbursed, recognizing the strain such expenditure places on a sub-national government like Ekiti.
Akpabio also issued a directive to the Senate Committee on Appropriation, urging them to prioritize the inclusion of funds for the construction of the Ado-Ijan Ekiti Road in the next federal budget cycle.
The road, which links the town to the newly launched Ekiti Agro-Allied International Cargo Airport, is considered vital for maximizing the airport’s economic impact.
“Federal roads in states like Ekiti should not become a liability for state governments. I will personally engage President Tinubu to see that Ekiti gets a refund of what it rightly deserves,” Akpabio said.
Tinubu’s choice of FIRS chairman, Dr. Zacch Adedeji attended Ekiti state convocation. Image: FB/FIRSSource: UGC
The event was not just about policy pledges. The Senate President was in the state for the university’s convocation, which saw notable figures such as Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele, Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) Chairman Dr. Zacch Adedeji, and Chairman of the Board of the Bank of Industry (BoI) Dr. Mansur Muhtar awarded honorary doctorate degrees.
Akpabio applauded for supporting Tinubu’s River’s emergency rule
Earlier, TheTalk.NG reported that the National Democratic Coalition (NADECA), a prominent alliance of over 100 pro-democracy organizations across Africa, has praised Senate President Godswill Akpabio and House of Representatives Speaker Tajudeen Abbas for their pivotal roles in securing the National Assembly’s approval of the state of emergency in Rivers State.
The coalition described the move as a critical step toward restoring stability and governance in the troubled state.
In a statement issued on Thursday by Dr. Chukwuma Eze, NADECA’s President-General, the coalition revealed that it spent 72 hours meticulously analyzing the situation before reaching its conclusion.
This deliberate approach, according to NADECA, sets it apart from other groups that hastily formed opinions without thorough consideration.
NADECA firmly supported President Bola Tinubu’s decision to declare a state of emergency, calling it a necessary measure to prevent the crisis in Rivers State from spiraling out of control.
Senate can’t probe Natasha’s allegations
Also, TheTalk.NG reported that the Senate has ruled out any possibility of investigating the allegations leveled against Senate President Godswill Akpabio by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, citing the absence of a formal petition.
Eseme Eyiboh, media adviser to Akpabio, made this assertion during an interview on TVC News on Sunday.
Source: TheTalk.NG
