Stop witch-hunting contractors handling state projects, stakeholder tells Niger lawmakers

The 10th Niger State House of Assembly has been called upon to stop threatening contractors handling various works across the state under the guise of oversight functions with flimsy excuses.

A concerned Nigerlite, Comrade Kasimu Ndama Kpotun, made this call while interacting with some journalists in Minna. He described the consistent witch-hunting and empty threats against the contractors as actions that should be stopped immediately.

Ndama Kpotun explained that the contractors and MDAs remain focused, committed, and steadfast, refusing to be distracted. He insisted that they continue their work to meet their contractual agreements, having already received their funds.

According to him, the lawmakers should examine themselves regarding their genuine interest in enhancing the state’s growth and development, rather than acting out of selfishness or self-aggrandisement. He alleged that the same House of Assembly took just one week to pass the 2024 budget appropriation without proper scrutiny.

He questioned the competence, ability, and integrity of the lawmakers, as well as the unbiased nature of their investigations into the actual situation, urging them to retrace their steps to ensure their integrity and the public’s confidence. He added that Governor Mohammed Umar Bago’s agenda should not be derailed.

Kpotun also insisted that the lawmakers are not asking why the state Ministry of Works’ in-house engineers are not fully involved in the monitoring and supervision of ongoing projects, as mandated. He alleged that something suspicious is happening if the claimed irregularities and poor performance were accurate.

The contractor, Think Lab Group’s Architect Jibrin Danlami Musa, confirmed that there are no sharp practices and assured that the contract specifications are being met, having received over 50 per cent of the advance payment from the state government.

It could be recalled that the Niger State House of Assembly Committee on Works and that of Health, chaired by Suleiman Gomna and Umar Nasir, for the second time, threatened the contractor handling the ongoing IBBU Teaching Hospital in Minna for substandard work, but the project continues unabated.