The Sokoto State government has again clarified the issues surrounding the alleged outrageous expenditure for solar-powered boreholes and perimeter fencing on major streets in the state capital.
The state’s Commissioner for Information & Orientation, Sambo Bello Danchadi, spoke Tuesday on the two projects during a familiarisation visit to the headquarters of Media Trust Group, publishers of the Daily Trust titles and owners of Trust TV and Trust Radio.
A couple of days ago, the state government and the leading opposition party in the state – the Peoples Democratic Party – were locked in a heated exchange over the controversial street fencing contracts in the state.
The PDP had called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to as a matter of urgency investigate what it described as the government’s “outrageous” expenditure on street fencing projects, accusing the administration of squandering N30 billion on the contracts.
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Also, earlier this month while paying a thank-you visit to Wurno LGA, Governor Ahmed Aliyu reportedly said N1.2 billion was spent on renovating 25 boreholes in the area. That generated backlash, especially on social media.
The commissioner described the allegations being peddled by the opposition as ‘mischievous’.
He said the major street fencing projects were meant to reduce accidents and beautify the city as the purpose of government is securing the lives and properties of the citizens.
“You have children being knocked down because they are crossing the street without the road fence…. There is an enlightenment programme now. We did a pilot of this street fencing with wire and it drastically reduced the cases of people being knocked down, especially school children,’’ he explained.
He also debunked the claim that the project was a misplaced priority.
“Sometimes, the question of priority projects is neither here nor there. Don’t you see the countries that are at war participating in football tournaments? In the administration of any government, you can’t neglect anything.
“This project is intended to reduce accidents in Sokoto City and to beautify the city. Even if the governor is not the one who tarred them, as long as they are okay; there is a need now to do a barricade so that people would not cross and cause accidents. So, this is the priority. And the priority projects PDP is talking about have not also been abandoned; we are equally doing those projects that we all believe are the priority,’’ Sambo added.
The commissioner, who said Governor Aliyu’s priority project had nothing to do with the chartering of private jets, added that he patronised commercial flights.
Explaining further on the 25 boreholes project at the cost of N1.2bn, he said the project was jointly funded by the Sokoto State government, federal government, and World Bank, adding that the said 25 boreholes only formed part of the entire project.
According to him, ‘’What happened is that, during a political campaign, the governor had a slip of the tongue. He wanted to say that 25 boreholes were constructed. Instead, he said 25 boreholes were renovated in Hausa.
“And mischievously, our opponents were pleased with that slip of the tongue and they noted only that portion and went to town. And it’s easily sold to people who want to make news with negative stories,’’ he said.
Earlier, the commissioner commended Daily Trust for its tenacity in producing credible, factual, and cutting-edge news reportage.
He, therefore, sought fruitful and successful relationships with the Media Trust Group.
Speaking on behalf of the Group Chief Executive Officer/Editor-in-Chief, Ahmed I. Shekarau, the General Editor, Malam Hamza Idris, said respecting the cardinal principles of fairness, objectivity and balance remain the driving force of Media Trust Group.
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