Executive Director of Patriots for the Advancement of Peace and Social Development, Dr. Sani Abdullahi Shinkafi, has claimed that the re-awarding of the contract for the sum of N62.8bn for the Gusau International Cargo Airport in Zamfara State was too exorbitant, making it one of the most costly airports in the country.
He accused Governor of Zamfara State, Dauda Lawal, of misleading the Minister of Aviation, Festus Keyamo, to repeat a flag-off of a project which, according to him, former Governor Bello Matawalle flagged off four years ago.
Shinkafi, in a statement, noted that the previous administration under Matawalle awarded the airport contract for ₦11.4bn and paid the contractor ₦5.8bn.
He noted that while the matter was in court, Governor Lawal brazenly re-awarded the airport project to the staggering tune of ₦62.8bn, about a 600% increase compared with the ₦11.5bn sum awarded to AVIC International Engineering Limited by the Matawalle administration.
Shinkafi said: “Conscious of the short, medium and long-term benefits of the airport project, Bello Matawalle followed due process and awarded the contract for the construction of the airport to AVIC International Engineering Limited at the modest sum of ₦11,444,056,018.07 (Eleven billion, five hundred and fifty-one million, eight hundred and ninety-nine thousand, one hundred and twenty-three naira only).
“Government paid 30% mobilisation, ₦3,465,567,736.90 (Three billion, four hundred and sixty-five million, five hundred and sixty-nine thousand, seven hundred and thirty-nine naira, ninety kobo only) to the company to commence work at the site.
“As work progressed, considering COVID-19 lockdown that disrupted movement, business, and construction, an additional 20% contract sum was paid to AVIC International Engineering Limited which amounted to ₦2,310,379,824.60 (Two billion, three hundred and ten thousand, three hundred and seventy-nine thousand, eight hundred and twenty-four naira, sixty kobo only).
“A total sum of ₦5,775,949,561.50 (Five billion, seven hundred and seventy-five million, nine hundred and forty-nine thousand, five hundred and sixty-one naira, fifty kobo only) was paid by then Governor Bello Matawalle’s administration for the project.
“AVIC International Engineering Limited had started the construction of the access road to the airport, the Airport Gate, Terminal building, Fire Service Station, underground drainage, construction of 2.5km runway, etc., before Matawalle left office in May 2023.”
He noted that Matawalle’s administration awarded the airport contract for the sum of ₦11,446,056,018.08 and paid the contractor the sum of ₦5,775,949,561.50.
He added, “It is very glaring that Governor Dauda Lawal was economical with the truth when he alleged that Matawalle earmarked ₦13.3bn for the construction of the Airport Terminal building and expended ₦6.3bn, and nothing to show for it during the recent re-flag off of the construction of the airport project.
“It is disheartening that Lawal would toy with the intelligence of the good people of Zamfara State and deliberately mislead the Minister of Aviation, Festus Keyamo, whom he invited to re-flag off the project that previous governors of the state started.”
