Kano State governor Abba Kabir Yusuf has unveiled the construction of two critical capital projects Tal’udu Interchange (Clover Leaf Flyover) and Dan Agundi Interchange (Flyover and Underpass) at the cost of N27 billion.

The unveiling of the projects, being funded under State and Local government joint account, came under public criticism, especially from the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC).

APC had faulted Governor Yusuf’s decision to fund the projects with 70 percent local government funding on capital projects within the metropolis.

A memo released from the office of the Accountant General of the state indicated a total of N15,974,357,203.99 was awarded to Messrs CGC Nigeria Limited for the construction of the two projects.

According to the statement seen by The Guardian, the huge sum voted for the project is expected to be funded from the joint State and Local government accounts through 30 percent and 70 percent respectively.

As approved by the state executive council, a total of N6 billion under a genuine Advance Payment Guarantee (APG) has been released to enable quick mobilization of the contractor.

At the groundbreaking ceremony of the flyover at Tal’udu on Friday, Yusuf disclosed that the two projects is awarded to TEC construction company and would cost N12 billion naira each.

By Yusuf’s statement, the projected might have been replaced the initial constractor with TEC at additional cost of over N11 billion.

Governor Yusuf who described the critics of the projects as “enemies progress” insisted funding critical project through joint State and Local government account has been a traditional practices in Kano.

“This project is being finded by through joint funding between State and Local. It has been the tradition with previous government and it not new practice. Anybody contradicting our projects is an enemy of progress. We would not be distracted,” Yusuf noted.

Meanwhile, the 44 local councils of the state have dragged the state government before an Abuja division of the Federal High Court, seeking exparte order restraining the state government from tampering with local government funds.

In a motion on notice with no. FHC/ABJ/CS/1733/2023, filed before Justice D. U Okorowo, the plaintiffs sought an order against Kano state government, Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice and Accountant General of Kano state from “further managing, controlling, administering, disbursing and spending the funds and allowances belonging to the 44 local government and state joint account, pending the determination of motion on notice”.

Besides, the APC in Kano State had alleged a plan by the New Nigerian Peoples Party (NNPP) to usurp the functions of local government councils and misappropriate their funds, amounting to over N8billion.
[ad unit=2]