By Matthew Tabe
The Governor of Ondo State, Rotimi Akeredolu has disclosed that the state spent its share of 13 percent derivation refunds on infrastructure projects and payment of salary arrears.
Richard Olatunde, his chief press secretary, made this known in a statement over the weekend.
The presidency had disclosed that Ondo received N19.4 billion as 13 percent oil derivation, subsidy and SURE-P refunds from the federation account between 2021 and 2022.
The governor, who listed some of the projects, said the refunds were expended on road projects across the state and payment of accumulated salary arrears.
“Some of the impactful projects undertaken and completed by this administration include the rehabilitation and asphalt overlay of the 32.6km Araromi-Alape road in Ilaje Local Government Area; 16.65km Ikaramu-Akunnu-chainnage 7-Oke Agbe Road in Akoko Northwest Local Government Area; 4.5km Agadagba Obon-New Ajapa Road in Ese-Odo Local Government Area; 3.0km Oke Igbo Township roads, Ile-Oluji/Okeigbo Local Government Area, among others,” the statement reads.
“Recently, the governor commenced the rehabilitation of over 35 kilometres of network of roads in Akure, the state capital. The roads being rehabilitated are the existing ones built by past governments several years ago and which are already in bad shape with potholes and failed sections. The 9.5km Emure- Iporo Road and rehabilitation of 15.2 Akure phase “D” networks have all begun.
“The 10km Okitipupa-Igbokoda virgin road, which will be commissioned by the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, is another evidence of Governor Akeredolu’s commitment to infrastructural development. These intensive capital projects are financed from these refunds and Internally Generated Revenue,” the statement added.