Controversy trails Kano’s N4b underpass, flyover contract

The approval for the construction of new underpass and flyover on Dangi roundabout by Kano State government has continued to generate controversy and reaction on the economic viability of the new project.

The state Commissioner for Information, Muhammad Garba, who spoke yesterday while addressing journalists on the outcome of the 111th state Executive Council meeting, stated that the new project aimed at reducing carbon emission, minimising road accidents and beautification of the state capital would cost N4 billion.

Also, he said the under-pass and flyover was in continuation of Ganduje-led administration’s commitment to ensure provision of good road networks that will curtail chaotic traffic situation in the city.

However, a Kano-based non-governmental organisation, Transparency and Development Information Initiative, has challenged the credibility of the cost allocation for the project.

The Programme Manager of the NGO, Ibrahim Garba Maryam, who spoke with journalists on the development in Kano, said that the N4 billion allocated for the project was not budgeted in the Kano State 2018 budget.

Maryam lamented that what was allocated for the project in the 2018 budget was N150,000,000.

But Kano State Commissioner for Planning and Budget, Hajiya Aishatu Ja’afar, who confirmed the allocation of N150,000,000 for the project, however, said that the allocation was meant for underpass alone.

The commissioner said that her ministry might not be able to ascertain the cost of the flyover attached on the same project, but that the Ministry of Works would be in the best position to explain how the bill of quantity amounted to N4 billion.

She said: “What we do in the Ministry of Planning and Budget is to plan the general allocation after receiving various allocations from agencies.

It is true that N150,000,000 was allocated for that project but if you check properly, you will notice that they are two different projects, the underpass and the flyover. What was in the budget is for the underpass.

Now, if you also check the budget, you will find out certain amount of money voted for the construction of flyovers in different locations.”