Julius Berger stops work on Lagos-Ibadan highway over budget cut

Julius Berger stops work on Lagos-Ibadan highway over budget cut

- Mr Babatunde Fashola, the works, power and housing minister, faced a panel of lawmakers over allegation he incited the public recently against them

- Fashola also received a letter from construction giant Julius Berger announcing it is suspending work on the Lagos-Ibadan highway

Minutes after Mr Babatunde Fashola, Nigeria’s works, housing and power minister visited the House of Representative to state why he responded publicly to allegations by some of the lawmakers, construction giant, Julius Berger, announced it was stopping work on the Lagos-Ibadan highway.

Julius Berger made its intention known in a letter to the works ministry saying its decision is hinged on the cut in the budget allocated for the fixing of the road by the National Assembly.

Speaking before a panel of the House of Representatives investigating the minister for reportedly talking back at the lawmakers on Friday, July 28, 2017, Fashola denied inciting the public.

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He explained that all he said was in good faith and in response to the matter that had become public knowledge.

“That general statement is to the effect that, like many Nigerians, I have been concerned about the state and pace of development of our country's infrastructure and the consequences they have on our quality of life and expectations.

“My views have been expressed in speeches at public fora, and also in presentations made to the oversight committees that relate to the Ministry of Power, Works and Housing in both Houses of Parliament.

“As far as roads are concerned, I have argued that we should build roads which connect our states, which drive our economy, which move our fuel, which moves our food and which help us to import and export goods.

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“Any road that does not connect to the last point necessary to drive our economy is a road to nowhere,” Fashola said among others.

Legit.ng reported earlier that Mr Babatunde Fashola expressed concern over the reaction of the National Assembly to his observations on the 2017 Budget as passed the legislature.

Fashola had in a recent interview, complained that the legislators had in approving the budget, reduced funds for some key projects of his ministry and allocated the money to some frivolous ones.

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Source: Legit.ng

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