Writing By Isma’il Adamu; Editing By Yusuf Zubairu
Reactions continue to follow the revelation by the Senior Special Assistant to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Political Matters, Ibrahim Masari that Governor Dikko Radda influenced the cancellation of an ongoing federal road project in Katsina State.
Ibrahim Masari, during an event in Katsina, disclosed that Governor Radda had met with President Bola Tinubu and urged him to revoke the contract for the ongoing construction of the Marabar Kankara to Katsina road.
“The Governor requested the President to cancel the existing contract and assign it to a different contractor capable of delivering a higher quality job,” Masari stated.
The 170 km road runs from Marabar Kankara to Katsina, connecting seven Local Government Areas within the state.
In its reaction, a Civil Society Organization, Coalition of Northern Groups, through its Katsina State Coordinator, Jamilu Charanchi, described the stoppage of the road project as unfortunate.
“This road is too important for anyone to play politics with its construction, people of Katsina State have been commending President Tinubu for commencing this very important road project.
“Therefore, we were very disappointed to hear that it was our governor himself that plotted to stop the project, it is indeed very disappointing, they are unnecessarily playing politics with the development of the people”.
Others expressed worry over the delay in re-awarding the contract considering the bureaucracy involved in awarding and releasing funds for road projects in the country.
Malam Aliyu Yantumaki from Danmusa Local Government Area was among those that expressed this concern.
”A lot of bureaucracy and delays are involved in awarding and releasing funds for this kind of project. It is 170 km long—how long will it take to re-award the contract? It might take years,” Yantumaki lamented.
Meanwhile, Governor Dikko Radda had earlier told a gathering that he had met President Tinubu and made case for three federal road projects in the state which will commence soon.
Isma’il Adamu
