Governor Alex Otti of Abia says the federal government has no plans to reimburse the state for federal road projects his administration executed.

Speaking at his monthly media interactive session with journalists on Friday night, Mr Otti said the new federal government’s policy was that states could toll such roads “if they want their money back.”

He reiterated his administration’s commitment to fixing all Abia roads, federal or state, saying, “They’re all used by Abia residents.”

“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.

Mr Otti also addressed compensation concerns for the Umuahia-Ikot Ekpene Road rehabilitation, saying he expected the federal government to pay since it awarded the project without funding.

He said, “We always pay compensation on any route we are entering.

“But then, my understanding is that, if there was any compensation to be paid, the federal government should have done so because the route was actually awarded but was not funded. So, that’s my understanding. I can’t be too sure.”

The state government had undertaken to rehabilitate critical federal roads, including the Umuahia-Ikot Ekpene Road, the Owerrinta-Umuikaa dual carriageway, and the Ohafia-Arochukwu Road, among others.

The governor reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to establishing a state police.

He said, “The new general manager for Homeland Security is working with his team to get us ready once the whistle is blown.”

Mr Otti ruled out any possible defection to another party, saying he would run for reelection on the Labour Party (LP) platform in 2027.

According to him, the Supreme Court decision has settled the party leadership crisis.

He, therefore, urged interested Nigerians to register for LP membership.

Mr Otti described the progress on the newly introduced electric buses as “exciting,” saying 30 more buses were expected by July, bringing the total to 50. 

(NAN)