The House of Representatives has approved that the Federal Government reimburse Borno State with over N16 billion for the capital projects executed on behalf of the Federal Government.
The Federal Government is to make the refund to the Borno State Government with promissory notes and bonds.
The approval followed the consideration and adoption of the report by the House Committee on Aids, Loans and Debt Management at the plenary on Tuesday.
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As part of its findings and observations, the committee, chaired by Ahmed Dayyabu, said it had confirmed that all the listed projects were actually executed by the state government.
Dayyabu said: “The roads and flyover bridge were constructed in line with the contract specifications, and huge resources have been expended on the execution of the projects, Federal Ministry of Works and Housing inspected and ascertained that the quality of work done has met the required standards,” the committee reported.
According to the report by the committee, Borno began construction of the federal roads in 2014. The committee stated that only the Damboa-Chibok-Mbalala Road (30km) Phase I was eligible for reimbursement “as it was awarded before the President’s directive of 29th July 2016, which suspended assessment of requests for refund on projects carried out without the Federal Government’s approval.”
The report added, “However, the other three projects (Damboa-Chibok-Mbalala Road Phase II, Flyover Bridge at Custom Roundabout, Maiduguri, and Dualisation of the Maiduguri-Dikwa-Gamboru/Ngala Road from Custom Area to Muwa Welcome Gate) awarded by the Borno State Government after the President’s directive, were approved upon a compassionate appeal by the Borno State Government.”
The report further said the approval by the Federal Executive Council for reimbursement of the additional sum of N16,772,486,002.19 to the Borno State government was to ensure that sufficient fund is provided for the completion of the Damboa-Chibok-Road based on the current cost of completion for the project.
It noted, “Although the Damboa-Chibok-Mbalala Road Phase I and II has attained 95 per cent and 72 per cent completion, respectively, the construction of the flyover bridge at Custom Roundabout and the dualisation of the Maiduguri-Dikwa-Gamboru/Ngala Road have been completed,” adding that “the Borno State Government has paid all contractors that executed the highway projects.”
Based on the findings, the lawmakers upheld the recommendation of the committee, that the House “approve the promissory note issuance to settle outstanding claims and liabilities of Borno State Government in the sum of N16,772,486,002.19 based on the claims by Borno State.”
(Punch)
