Governor of Zamfara, Dauda Lawal, has accused the immediate past administration of Bello Matawalle of embezzling billions of naira from the Zamfara Airport project which was subsequently abandoned.

Spokesperson to Lawal, Sulaiman Idris, in a statement, said the current government was shocked to discover the previous administration’s substantial financial mismanagement of the abandoned Zamfara Cargo Airport project.

Matawalle’s administration was accused of a dubious transaction of N6,775,949,561.50 for an abandoned Cargo Airport project in Gusau.

The spokesperson stated that Governor Lawal’s administration will bring those responsible for financial recklessness to justice.

“Upon assuming office, Governor Dauda Lawal, to determine the progress of work done and the corresponding value to monies paid to contractors directed for the assessment and identification of the best approach to timely completion of the project constituted a five-member committee for that task and to further review among other things pre-contract activities,” he said.

He explained that the committee’s report disclosed that Avic International Engineering Limited provided engineering and architectural designs.

The report revealed that the contractors produced contract bills of quantities without the input of the relevant departments of government in vetting the designs, specifications, and bills. In contrast, contract documents were unavailable at the time of contract award.

“The contract was awarded to Avic International Engineering Limited vide contract notifications No. FGPC/SEC/NOT/2019/055 dated 15th May 2019 in the sum of N11,551,899,123.00 0nly. The committee also found that the preliminary approvals from the relevant regulatory bodies in the aviation industry were not obtained before the commencement of work on the project.

“A consultant, BJ Aerotronic Limited, was employed to take charge of the project and to obtain all the necessary approvals from the relevant regulatory bodies only after work had commenced on the site. Payments were made to the contractors without valuation and essential certification from the relevant Agencies of Government,” he said.

He stated that the committee suggests discrepancies between the contract Bills of Quantities and engineering, architectural designs and specifications. (The Guardian)

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