The Borno State Government has debunked reports circulating in the public domain that it spent N4 billion in rail construction projects in Maiduguri Metropolitan Council (MMC) and Jere Local Council Area without any evidence of execution.
 
According to a statement signed by the Commissioner, Ministry of Information and Internal Security, Prof. Usman A. Tar, the state government noted it has become necessary to clarify the matter in the interest of transparency and accountability, providing the public with accurate information.
 
The statement stated: “Following internal review and consultations with the ministries of Budget, Transport, and Energy, as well as other relevant players in the official procurement process, the Borno State Government wishes to state categorically that no rail construction project was awarded, funded, or executed by the government during the 2025 fiscal year.
 
“It is hereby confirmed that no executive council approval was sought or obtained for any rail project, no budget clearance was requested, no contract was awarded, and no funds were released for any such project within the period under reference.
 
“For the avoidance of doubt, projects of this nature must follow established due process, including formal proposal, executive council approval, budget clearance, contract award, and subsequent release of funds. None of these procedures was initiated or concluded in relation to any rail line project during the 2025 fiscal year.”
 
It, however, noted that the inclusion of rail project entry in the 2025 Budget Implementation Report, indicating 100 per cent completion, was an administrative error and does not reflect the true position of the matter, as the said project was neither executed nor paid for.

The statement added that relevant stakeholders have already been engaged, and steps are being taken to correct the records accordingly and to forestall future occurrences of this administrative lapse.