The opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Kano State, has called on Economic and Financial Crime Commission, EFCC and Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC, to investigate the state governor, Abdullahi Ganduje for spending N525 million to decorate underpass bridge in the state.
DAILY NIGERIAN reports that the Kano State Executive Council had approved a contract for supply and tiling of Tijjani Hashim Underpass, along Katsina road with Nigerian granite at the cost of N525,435,750.00.
However, in a statement issues to journalists in Kano on Saturday, Shehu Sagagi, the state’s PDP chairman, accused Mr Ganduje of spending spree to make Kano bankrupt.
According to Mr Sagagi, it is worthy to bring to the attention of Kano people that the amount approved for the laying of granite at the underpass bridge “is a clear misappropriation of public funds”.
He noted that despite being too costly, the implementation of the project started few weeks before the council’s approval, adding that the expenditure was neither part of 2021 nor 2022 fiscal year respectively.
He therefore called on Civil Society Organizations and anti-graft agencies to investigate what he described as shady deal in the interest of governance.
“We wish to lament with utmost curiosity, the decision of Kano state Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje to spend over N500m on beautification of Kofar Ruwa underpass bridge named after the late Galadiman Kano Alh. Tijjani Hashim.
“We call on the members of civil society, the anti-graft agencies such as the EFCC and ICPC to investigate this shady deal in the interest of accountability and good governance.
“You may recall that the Kano state government has last week approved the huge sum of N525,435,750.00 million for the unnecessary beautification of Kofar Ruwa underpass bridge.
“It is evidently clear that the governor is on spending spree mood to further cripple Kano state economy before the expiration of his second tenure to make Kano absolutely bankrupt.
“As opposition party and good citizens of Kano state, we vehemently condemned this act and call on the Kano state House of Assembly, civil society and all stakeholders to reject this project as same is a misplacement of priority looking at the economic situation of Kano state,” Mr Sagagi added.(Daily Nigerian)