The Arewa Coalition for Justice (ACJ), has kicked against the alleged cancellation of the N147.6 billion contract for the full rehabilitation of Katsina-Kankara-Dutsinma-Maraba Kankara road in Katsina state.
The contract was said to have been awarded to an indigenous firm, Vipan Global Resources Limited, after fulfilling all the requisite requirements, with a completion period of 24 months.
Addressing a press conference on Tuesday in Kaduna, Ibrahim Muhammad, spokesperson of the group expressed displeasure over developments surrounding the road contract and its subsequent cancellation.
He said the ACJ, had it on good authority that the Katsina state governor, Dikko Radda and Ibrahim Masari, an aide to President Bola Tinubu, were allegedly, behind the cancellation of the road project
because it was awarded to a company linked to a member of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Muhammad said the road contract which was awarded in April 2024 for total rehabilitation, is one of the busiest in Katsina state, connecting several communities and states.
“We were elated by this development, as it promised to significantly improve the quality of life for residents of the adjoining communities and stimulate economic activities in a region plagued by banditry.
“However, we were alarmed to learn about the cancellation of this vital road project, which holds immense potential for the prosperity of Katsina State and Northern Nigeria.
“Why would the government cancel such an economically and socially beneficial
project?…
“We have it on good authority that it is the Katsina state governor, Dikko Umaru
Radda and an aide to the president, Ibrahim Masari that went to the President and asked that the project be cancelled because it was awarded to a company linked to member of the opposition PDP.
“This is sad and it shows that these people have little or no regards for the state and they are bent on sabotaging the efforts of Mr President”, Muhammad said.
The group alleged that, David Umahi, minister of work, merely cancelled the contact based on the recommendation of the governor and the President’s aide.
“How can we allow political sentiment on a project as important as this?”, the ACJ asked.
According to Muhammad, the cancellation of the road project seems like a deliberate attempt to create a rift between the President and the northern region.
“This selective cancellation, especially of a northern project, raises concerns about a potential sinister motive”, Muhammad said.
He called on the President to intervene and direct the Ministry of Works to reverse the decision.
“We appeal to the President to allow the project to proceed in the interest of justice and fair play.
“We also call on members of the National Assembly from the northwest to advocate for the reversal of this cancellation.
“Additionally, we urge the president to investigate all road projects awarded by Umahi…”the ACJ said.
John Shiklam
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