Works Minister Dave Umahi on Wednesday clarified that governors can rehabilitate federal roads in the states, following approval by the Federal Government.
He said the administration will prioritise maintenance of federal roads across the country.
Umahi said the Federal Government cannot prevent governors from road repairs, which can enhance the welfare of residents.
He spoke on the infrastructure battle of the Tinubu administration while inspecting ongoing road rehabilitations in Lagos.
He said the Federal Government will carry out resurfacing of the Third Mainland Bridge and pay more attention to concrete reinforcement of other roads in the country.
Umahi rejected what he described as blackmail by Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki, who had complained about the poor state of federal roads in the Southsouth state.
At the inauguration of Ven. Ebenezer Saiki as the second Bishop of Akoko-Edo Diocese held at St. James Cathedral, Ugbogbo, Igarra, in Akoko Edo Local Government Area, Obaseki alleged that despite many entreaties by his administration, the Federal Government has refused to allow him fix the dilapidated federal roads.
Also, the governor called on residents and other road users to plead with the Federal Government to allow the state to fix them.
However, Umahi cautioned Obaseki against politicising road rehabilitation, saying that election is over.
The minister said: “The ministry is willing to speedup approval for the state government to carry out rehabilitation of the bad potions.
“I will advise my brother and friend, Governor Godwin Obaseki, to stop playing politics with the lives of his citizens. He should stop trivalising the lives of his people on the alter of politics. Election has been won and lost”.
