Following the disclosure by the Permanent Secretary in the Niger State Ministry of Works, Adamu Jagaba, that about N12 billion is needed to complete the Minna Airport City project, the state governor, Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello, yesterday declared that he has more pressing problems than expending N12billion for the completion of the airport project.
Bello, who stated this while inspecting the uncompleted project, initiated by his predecessor, Babangida Aliyu which was said to have gulped N800 million, said, “My topmost need is to provide water and light for the people, ensure there are adequate infrastructures in schools, and provide facilities for hospitals in the state”.
When he heard from the permanent secretary that about N12 billion would be needed to finish the project, the Governor said, “I do not have money to pay for this project. I have more serious and pressing problems now. I have students sitting on the floor, people without drinking water, hospital without facilities, those are my priorities now or do you have money? If you have money, do it with your money and we will find a way to pay you later.
“I suggest the project be restructured. If we want to complete it, there is no money, if we do not complete it, it will waste away. Get someone who has money to invest in it to complete it,” he stated.
The Governor, lamented that even if the government gets bond for the project, the project cannot be seen to bring in N2 billion every year, insisting that the contractors need to restructure the project.
Jagaba had earlier explained that ,“N600 million has been expended on the City Tower, which is supposed to be 17 floors and the contractors are currently on the fourth floor, while N200 million has been expended on the shopping mall”.
He went on to state that the project was being funded by the government, saying it had to take over when the private investors failed to meet up the stipulated time.
Comments