Kano state government has dismissed as stark ignorance, attempt by some selfish individuals to discredit the Dangi Roundabout underpass and flyover construction project through unsubstantiated allegations.
A statement signed by the state Commissioner for Information, Malam Muhammad Garba, showed that the project, which foundation stone laying was performed by Governor Abdullahi Ganduje at a ground breaking ceremony, was approved at the 111th state Executive Council Meeting aimed at ensuring the provision of good road networks that will curtail chaotic traffic situation in the city.
Unfortunately, according to the commissioner, “some disgruntled elements in our midst who are serving the interest of a political cult in the state, are hell bent on creating confusion by accusing the government of executing the gigantic project outside budgetary allocation.
” The commissioner pointed out that one Hamisu Magaji, who is playing such card by hiding under the garb of a fictitious organisation and a member of one of the opposition parties in the state, ought to find out how the government intends to execute the project that seeks to reduce carbon emission and minimise road accidents, among others.
“Contrary to Magaji’s false claim that the project is not captured in the 2018 budget, we make bold to give a breakdown on how fund made for that project is going to be sourced,’’ he said.
He explained that the project, which has a total contract sum of over N4 billion, consists of two construction works that involve an underpass with a total contract sum of N3. 03 billion for which the sum of N150 million had been set aside in the 2018 budget, while the contract sum for the construction of the flyover is put at N1. 4billion.
He, however, said that already, the state Ministry of Works, Housing and Transport, had requested from the Ministry of Planning and Budget an Authority to Incur Expenditure (AIE) for the balance total contract sum for the construction of the underpass.
He added that the contract sum for the construction of flyover, which was captured in a supplementary budget, is in the process of being sent to the state House of Assembly for approval and passage.
“While the Ganduje administration welcomes constructive criticism aimed at moving the state forward, it will not fold its arms and observe people in dire need of attention to not only discredit it for their selfish motives but to also distract its attention from carrying out the mandate for which it was elected.
While calling on the people not to allow themselves to be used by self centred politicians, the Commissioner also calls on the people to always dig out for fact and double check them before making any public statement in the interest of peace and unity in the state and the country
