The Kebbi Government, has refuted claims published by Sahara Reporters on Tuesday, March 18, alleging the use of substandard materials in the ongoing construction of 6.4-kilometer Argungu dual carriageway.

The Commissioner for Works, Alhaji Abdullahi Umar-Muslim, who denied the allegations, in Birnin Kebbi on Thursday, said that the culverts were constructed using machine-pressed blocks, “which meet all extant global engineering standards”.
He emphasised that the project, which was awarded to Amirco Engineering at a cost of N7.23 billion by the administration of Gov.

Nasir Idris, was being executed in strict compliance with the agreed specifications.

“The report, that was titled “Antigraft Agencies, EFCC, ICPC asked to probe N7.23 billion Kebbi road project over use of substandard materials”, cited an alleged investigation by a group called “Civic Technology Platform Monitoring,’ which claimed that inferior materials were used, particularly in the construction of culverts.

“The publication alleged that blocks, rather than reinforced concrete, were used for culverts’ construction, misrepresenting the actual project specifications.

“The Ministry of Works has a dedicated team of engineers monitoring and supervising the project to ensure full compliance with all
contract specifications,” he said.

According to him, the project breakdown include total scarification of the carriageway and shoulders, upgrading the old single carriageway to a dual carriageway, excavation for side drains and turnouts, embankment filling, stone pitching, and construction of block-lined drains on both sides of the road.

“Others are, the construction of access and crossing culverts, provision of slabs for vehicular and pedestrian crossings, and excavation and backfilling for culverts and drains, among others.

“The financial breakdown of the project includes civil works at N6.82 billion, water relocation at N63.9 million and compensation for structures at N339.9 million, bringing the total project cost to N7.23 billion,” Umar-Muslim said.
He also pointed out that the report did not provide the government with a fair hearing and did not publish the actual contract details.

The commissioner, therefore, described the publication as a deliberate attempt to mislead the public and tarnish the hard-earned reputation of Gov. Idris’ administration.