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Northern Group Kicks Against FG鈥檚 Alleged Cancellation of Katsina Road Project
John Shiklam in Kaduna
The Arewa Coalition for Justice (ACJ), has kicked against the alleged cancellation of the a N147.6 billion contract for the full rehabilitation of Katsina-Kankara-Dutsinma-Maraba Kankara road in Katsina state.
The contract was said to have been awarded to an indigenous firm, Vipan Global Resources Limited, after fulfilling all the requisite requirements, with a completion period of 24 months.
Addressing a press conference yesterday in Kaduna, Ibrahim Muhammad, spokesperson of the group expressed displeasure over developments surrounding the road contract and its subsequent cancellation.
He said the ACJ, had it on good authority that the Katsina state Governor, Dikko Radda and Ibrahim Masari, an aide to President Bola Tinubu, were allegedly, behind the cancellation of the road project because it was awarded to a company linked to a member of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Muhammad said the road contract which was awarded in April 2024 for total rehabilitation, is one of the busiest in Katsina state, connecting several communities and states.
鈥淲e were elated by this development, as it promised to significantly improve the quality of life for residents of the adjoining communities and stimulate economic activities in a region plagued by banditry.
鈥淗owever, we were alarmed to learn about the cancellation of this vital road project, which holds immense potential for the prosperity of Katsina State and Northern Nigeria.
鈥淭his is sad and it shows that these people have little or no regards for the state and they are bent on sabotaging the efforts of Mr President鈥, Muhammad said.
The group alleged that, David Umahi, Works Minister, merely cancelled the contact based on the recommendation of the governor and the president鈥檚 aide.
鈥淗ow can we allow political sentiment on a project as important as this?鈥, the ACJ asked.
According to Muhammad, the cancellation of the road project seems like a deliberate attempt to create a rift between the president and the northern region.
鈥淭his selective cancellation, especially of a northern project, raises concerns about a potential sinister motive鈥, Muhammad said.
He called on the president to intervene and direct the Ministry of Works to reverse the decision.
鈥淲e appeal to the President to allow the project to proceed in the interest of justice and fair play. We also call on members of the National Assembly from the northwest to advocate for the reversal of this cancellation.
鈥淎dditionally, we urge the president to investigate all road projects awarded by Umahi鈥︹漷he ACJ said.
