the Governor of Kano StateAbba Yusuf, on Friday announced the construction of two flyovers worth over N27 billion in the metropolis.
The flyovers, located at ‘Kofar Dan’agundi’ on BUK road and ‘Tal’udu junction’, are being funded by joint accounts of the state and local government because “it has been a tradition in the state”, Yusuf said in an apparent response to controversy over the use of local government funds for the projects.
“It has been the tradition of my predecessors to finance such gigantic projects through the joint account administered by state and local governments,” the governor said at the ceremony, according to a statement from his spokesman, Sanusi Bature.
An internal memo earlier revealed that one of the flyovers at Dan’agundi junction will cost about N16 billion. The payment will be shared 30/70 between the state and the 44 local governments.
The memorandum dated December 18, from the office of the Accountant General, directed the Commissioner for Local Government, Deputy Governor of the state, Aminu Abdulsalam, to release about N16 billion for the construction of the Dan’agundi flyover.
“Your Excellency is hereby invited, with the kind indulgence, to note that, at its meeting held on 29 November 2023, the Executive Council approved the award of a contract to Messrs. CGC Nigeria Limited for the figure of 15,974,203.99 naira to be paid by the State and joint agreement with the local government in a proportion of 30 percent and 70 percent respectively.
“Consequently, the Executive Council has directed the Ministry of Finance to release advance payment in the amount of N6,389,742,881.59 under a genuine Advance Payment Guarantee (APG) from an accredited bank to enable rapid mobilization of the contractor.
“The state government is paying over N1.9 billion for advance payment, while the local government councils will pay over N4.4 million for advance payment to the contractor,” the memo said.
The flyover at Tal’udu junction will cost over N11 billion, making a total of over N27 billion for the two projects.
Graduation ceremony
Bature said the Dan’agundi project is a three-layer interchange bridge, while the one at Tal’udu Interchange is a cloverleaf flyover bridge.
The projects were initiated to reduce traffic congestion, facilitate travel, beautify the city, control pollution and develop infrastructure, the statement said.
READ ALSO: From despair to joy: Kano retiree who was denied rights for 8 years narrates his ordeal
“Kano, as a megacity, deserves massive infrastructural transformation to meet the needs of over ten million urban dwellers and improve the socio-economic well-being of the city’s residents.”
The governor asked the contractor handling the project to “ensure timely completion, adhere to the provisions of the contract and use quality materials as the government would not tolerate substandard work,” Bature said.