Katsina State Government has cleared its Governor Malam Dikko Radda from the public accusation that he engineered a revocation of a popular Marabar Kankara to Katsina road project awarded by the Federal Government.
A press release signed by the State Commissioner of Information, Dr Bala Salisu Zango, faulted some media reporters who implicated the governor in the saga and said the reporters misinterpreted what had been said about the governor’s involvement in the issue.
“The recent report by some media reporters claiming that Governor Radda requested the cancellation of the contract awarded by the Federal Government for the rehabilitation of the Mararrabar-Kankara to Dutsinma to Katsina road is inaccurate”.
“Contrary to these claims, the Governor actually requested that the contract be awarded to a reputable construction company, ensuring a higher quality job”.
Dr Zango said this move demonstrates the Governor’s commitment to delivering top-notch infrastructure projects that benefit the community. By seeking a reliable contractor, the Governor aims to guarantee the road’s durability and safety.
He said it’s essential for his Ministry to set the record straight and avoid spreading misinformation that may cause unnecessary concern among stakeholders.
“Let me at this point make it clear that the report by the media houses is incomplete. While it is true that, the Special Assistant to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Political Matters Alhaji Ibrahim Kabir Masari has on Sunday 5th October, 2024 during launching for the distribution of Federal Government rice, revealed that, contract for the rehabilitation of Mararrbar-Kankara to Dutsinama to Katsina road was awarded by the Federal Government to a naive contractor without good track records of handling civil engineering works of this nature. It’s out of patriotism and to ensure the quality of the road that, His Excellency the Governor of Katsina State, Dikko Umaru Radda, requested that the contract be awarded to a reputable civil Engineering company”.
Dr Zango said, rather than report accurately, the reporters decided not to report the complete information putting blame on the Governor.
It could be recalled that immediately after the media reports on the issue, Governor Dikko Radda came under fire, residents of the area, the road users, and CSOs accused Governor Radda of using political sentiments to seek the revocation of the contract.
Tribune correspondent has gathered that the contract for the road in question was given to a company in which Senator Yakubu Lado {PDP Gubernatorial candidate} was a partner, although the company wasted no time in executing the contract, it was abruptly revoked after the road was scratched and no explanation then was given for the revocation.
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