Fashola seeks support for Works, Housing Controllers in states

The Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola, has appealed to state governments to support the activities of the Federal Controllers of Works and Housing in their respective domains.

Fashola made the call during a courtesy visit to Gov. Rauf Aregbesola of Osun on Friday in Osogbo.

He noted that the controllers were the Federal Government representatives in the various states.

According to him, their presence is to support state governments towards achieving infrastructural developmental programmes for the citizens.

“I have gone round many states asking governors to treat federal controllers the same way they treat ambassadors from other countries.

“They are Federal Government ambassadors in various states and their role is to support state governments to deliver on projects within the framework of the Nigerian constitution.

“The Federal Government is not in any competition with state governments but to assist in achieving their goals.”

Fashola, however, commended Aregbesola for the cooperation and support to the controllers of works and housing in the state over the years.

He also commended the state government for releasing land for the National Housing Programme project, adding that the purpose of his visit was to inspect ongoing Federal Government projects.

The minister said the Federal Government was making efforts to ensure that state governments get reimbursement for the expenses incurred in the execution of federal projects.

Responding, Aregbesola commended the minister for going round to see the challenges and needs of citizens.

He said the state had no reason to doubt the minister, considering his passion for the welfare of Nigerians and his antecedents as a former governor of Lagos State.

The governor urged Fashola to extend the ongoing project on Itioni-Ilesha road to Ogbomosho because that part was also a federal road.

He also appealed to the minister to ensure urgent release of refunds for the execution of federal projects, adding that Osun was cash trapped.

The governor said he was aware of funding constraints in the country but urged the minister to support the state in the provision of equipment to boost power supply in the state.