Niger state government has ordered contractors handling the rehabilitation of a street road in Minna awarded by the federal government under Niger East constituency projects to stop works.
Blueprint learnt that the order has generated war between the state government and Senator David Umaru, who facilitated the project. Our reporter learnt that the constituency project, identified as Piggery road rehabilitation, was awarded by the Federal Ministry of Works, Housing and Transport and placed under the supervision of the Federal Controller, Housing, Engr. Felix Appah.
It was gathered that the contractor mobilised to site and had done over 40 per cent of the job when officials of the State Ministry of Works rushed to stop the work.
Checks revealed that the Permanent Secretary in the state ministry, Umar Bawa, in a letter dated 2nd May 2018, addressed to the Federal Controller of Housing, complained that the federal government was involved in the road project without prior approval from the state government and requested that work should stop immediately. It was also gathered that, despite responses from the federal ministry of works, power, housing, the state government refused all entreaties, insisting on enforcing the stop work order.
However, youths and residents of the area have condemned the state government action, arguing that stopping the project was tantamount to denying them access to development. A youth leader, Mohammed Bala, told our reporter that the road had become impassable before Senator Umaru came to the rescue, adding: “we were very happy that work on the road has started at last but we are today disturbed and sad that government who had abandoned us for 20 years has come to stop the work.”
However, in a press briefing yesterday in Minna, Senator David Umaru representing the senatorial district at the National Assembly, lambasted the government for stopping the constituency project meant to benefit the residents of the area.
“I am surprised that the state government that is talking about developing the state appeared to be development shy. I am yet to come to terms with the brazen attack by the government on this road development coming to the state. However, let me state categorically that the state government does not have powers to stop the work,” he said.
The lawmaker scolded the administration of Governor Sani Bello for playing bitter politics with the constituency project that was initiated to benefit the community, adding that there were several other roads in Minna city begging for government attention.
He said the administration had also stopped a similar work on Sarkin Kurmi road also known as Jubilee Street in Suleja area of the state, adding: “as I speak with you now, the government has abandoned the road. I am afraid that same fate would befall this Piggery Road if the government succeeds in stopping the project
