Borno Denies Executing N4bn Rail Project, Cites Reporting Error

The Borno State Government has denied executing any rail project worth N4 billion in the 2025 fiscal year, explaining that its inclusion in the state’s Budget Implementation Report was the result of a reporting and administrative error.

The clarification follows concerns raised by a civic accountability group, Tracka, which questioned claims that N2 billion was spent on rail projects each in Maiduguri Metropolitan Council and Jere Local Government Area, both reportedly marked as fully completed in official records.

Tracka, in its findings published on 15 June, said field visits conducted in May 2026 showed no evidence of any ongoing or recently completed rail construction or rehabilitation in the affected areas.

“There was no visible evidence of recently completed rail construction or rehabilitation works, no active construction sites, no contractor presence, and no project signage indicating that N4 billion worth of projects had been executed,” the group stated.

It further noted that only dilapidated and unused rail infrastructure was visible at the Maiduguri Railway Terminus and along rail corridors in both Maiduguri and Jere.

Responding to the allegations, the Commissioner for Information and Internal Security, Usman Tar, said an internal review involving relevant ministries confirmed that no rail project was awarded, funded or executed by the state government within the 2025 fiscal year.

“The attention of the Borno State Government has been drawn to recent reports circulating in the public space alleging that the sum of ₦4,000,000,000 was spent on rail construction projects in Maiduguri Metropolitan Council (MMC) and Jere Local Government Area without any evidence of execution on the ground,” the statement said.

Tar explained that consultations with the Ministries of Budget, Transport and Energy, alongside other relevant agencies, revealed no record of any rail project during the period under review.

He added that no Executive Council approval was granted, no budgetary clearance was issued, no contract was awarded, and no funds were released for such a project.

“For the avoidance of doubt, projects of this nature must follow established due process, including formal proposal, Executive Council approval, budget clearance, contract award, and subsequent release of funds,” he said.

“None of these procedures were initiated or concluded in relation to any rail line project during the 2025 fiscal year.”

The government said the rail project entry in the budget report, which indicated 100 per cent completion, was inserted in error and does not reflect any physical execution or financial transaction.

It added that steps are being taken to correct the records and strengthen internal controls to prevent a recurrence of similar discrepancies in future budget reporting.

Borno State reaffirmed its commitment to transparency, accountability and due process in public financial management, while commending citizens and civil society organisations for their role in promoting oversight and governance accountability.