Kebbi government denies wasting N300b on roads

Kebbi State Government has said that contrary to claims by opposition politicians, only about N50 billion was spent for the construction and rehabilitation of roads across the state.
 
Some politicians had claimed that the government wasted about N300 billion on road rehabilitation, alleging that the scope of work done did not reflect the huge amount spent.

Addressing newsmen yesterday in his office, the Commissioner for Works, Alhaji Abubakar Ladan, said the projects covered both rehabilitation of new roads, hydraulic structures, repairs and construction of culverts, drainage and bridges.

He explained that 223.16km roads were expanded in Kebbi Central Senatorial District at N25,726,354,800.50 while N13,419,903,606.40 was used to expand 276.75km roads in Kebbi North and N16,034,250.840.30 was used to expand 380.10km roads in Kebbi South.

According to Ladan, 285.40km roads were completed while 177km roads are still under construction, urging the residents to be patient, as the government would complete all the projects before the 2023.

While commending the governor for releasing funds for the projects and ensuring that quality jobs were done, the commissioner expressed dismay over a publication in a national daily, which he said quoted a wrong figure.

“I was misquoted about the exact figures. Kebbi State Government did not spend more than N300 billion that was reported by the reporters,” he stated, and appealed to the journalists to always confirm their information from appropriate authorities before going public.

He extolled journalists in the state for their support and cooperation, especially in disseminating accurate information and promoting peace, just as he noted that the state government provided infrastructure to the various communities in the state, adding that more dividends of democracy were on the way.