NEDC Didn’t Neglect Single Project In North East, Group Declares

Arewa Round Table Against Corrupt Practices (ARTACP) has said that its investigation shows that there are no abandoned projects awarded by the North East Development Commission (NEDC) in the region.

Addressing journalists yesterday in Bauchi, the coordinator of the group, Aliyu A. Mohammed, said the allegations of misappropriation of funds against the commission under the leadership of Mohammed Goni Akali to the tune of N146.19 billion is mischievous, false and baseless.

The group while reacting to the allegations published by some media outlets insinuating that there are misappropriations of funds in NEDC, said the allegations are nothing but falsehood.

Mohammed said after a thorough investigation by the group and visiting all the areas mentioned by the petitioners there were no abandoned projects awarded by the NEDC in the entire North East.

“All the projects awarded by the commission either has reached 50 to 70 percent of completion or the contractors are making final arrangement to commence the project.

“It seems the petitioners doesn’t know the projects they are talking about or where the projects are sited for example the petitioners talked about housing in Yobe both Potiskum and Nguru the contractors are making final preparations to commence the projects but the 250 houses allocated in Damaturu has reached 70 percent of completion, so also 50 houses each in Geidam Gujba, Bade and Jakusko all the construction is ongoing and has reached 50 to 70 percent completion.

“On the issue of supply of equipment at Eye Clinic Centre in Azare, the supply of the equipment was successfully completed and many people are benefitting from the equipment. On the construction of ICT training centre; and construction of College of Legal and Islamic Studies, Misau all in Bauchi State, the college was constructed even before the birth of NEDC, and no project was cited in the college by the NEDC.

“The petitioners alleged abandoned construction of central workshop in Maiduguri, Borno; construction of Birma Primary School at Kashimbila in Taraba; Madagali and Pinilla Primary Schools projects in Adamawa. To put the record straight the above contract were not awarded by the commission. Mega School Project was sited in Mubi South of Adamawa State and the construction is on going it has reached 60 to 70 percent of completion. Three bridges were constructed in Madagali and Michika all in Adamawa State among other projects sited in the state.

“We also want to inform the petitioners and Nigerians that there is no abandoned projects in Jalingo, Sadauna, Zing and Ussa local government areas of Taraba State,” the group said.