The Niger State Government has defended the award of road contracts covering more than 1,000 kilometres across the state, dismissing allegations that the projects were approved through executive fiat without due process.
The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Works and Infrastructural Development, Engr. Hassan Baba Etsu, said all contracts awarded by the administration of Governor Umaru Mohammed Bago complied with the Public Procurement Law and followed established procurement procedures.
Speaking during a press briefing to mark the governor’s third year in office, Etsu described reports of arbitrary contract awards as false and misleading.
He said the state government is currently undertaking some of its largest infrastructure projects, including the construction of six flyover bridges, one underpass, and 100 kilometres of roads within Minna metropolis.
According to him, construction is also progressing on the 45-kilometre Bida Ring Road, while road projects spanning 556 kilometres are ongoing across the state’s 25 local government areas.
He noted that each local government area is benefiting from at least five kilometres of road construction, adding that about 40 per cent of the projects have reached advanced stages and are close to completion.
Etsu further disclosed that the government has extended intervention to key federal roads by funding the reconstruction of the Kontagora-Rijau and Wawa-Babanana roads to improve connectivity and economic activities.
He also announced the recent approval of a 13-kilometre road project linking Mararaba Dandaudu and Kuta in Shiroro Local Government Area.
The Permanent Secretary maintained that the Ministry of Works remains fully accountable for all contracts awarded and challenged claims that procurement guidelines were bypassed.
