BudgIT’s Tracka team has again uncovered how legislators divert constituency projects to personal use.
Tracka was established to address the critical issues with social and economic development in the country, such as the exclusion of citizens from developmental projects, the increasing number of abandoned projects, and poor execution of the few implemented projects.
This time, the team visited Kebbi south senatorial district, during which it observed that a number of projects were captured in the 2016 federal constituency projects.
The tracked projects include: complete renovation of Zuru Town Hall for N155m, supply of eight Toyota Hiace ambulances for Zuru, Yauri, Dankwo/Wasagu, Shanga, Sakaba, Fakai and Ngaski for N160m, provision of 71 motorised boreholes in each of the 71 wards in Kebbi South for N710m and provision of 41 hand pump boreholes in 41 wards of Zuru/Fakai/Sakaba/danko-Wasagu for N61.5m.
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In October 2016, the Tracka team held a community engagement meeting with residents and the Zuru Emirate Development Association (ZEYA) to provide them with relevant information on the line items in the budget and encourage them to ensure project delivery through active participation.
The community leaders wrote a letter to their representative, Senator Bala Ibn Na’allah, and the relevant ministry, requesting an update on the implementation of the projects.
In December 2016, youth leader Nuhu Hussaini informed the Tracka field officer that the renovation of the Zuru town hall had begun and that one Toyota ambulance vehicle had been delivered to Yauri General Hospital. The provision of 71 motorised boreholes had also started in the selected wards in Kebbi South Senatorial District. The team ensured a follow-up with all the project implementations and observed that some of the empowerment materials purchased were labelled as donations e.g. the boat and ambulance.
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The residents also expressed displeasure to the team on the renovation of the Zuru hall for N155m, which they see as a misplaced priority. There are more pressing needs that will sustain the youth in the community, they said. For example, if the N155 million was invested in their agriculture, the unemployment rate in their community would significantly reduce. This will also improve the living standard of the people, as the state is known as one of the largest producers of rice.
In June 2017, the project-tracking officer received a call from Zuru community members informing him of a motorised borehole constructed in the premise of Senator Ibn Na’Allah Bala. This facility was supposed to be for the community to put an end to water scarcity. They expressed dissatisfaction over the conversion of public property into personal use, thus depriving the residents of Zuru community access to potable water supply.
Editor’s note: TheCable could not reach the lawmaker for his reaction as calls put through to his telephone line indicated that it was out of reach.
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4 comments
Your comment..what an attitude! are we sure we are normal? what happened here that is abnormal that would take us as far as going media? did we our investigation right before before stabbing ourselves right in the stomach n yet praising ourselves to be wise? it is high time we appreciate development coming to us no matter how little. instead of covering the good efforts with funny and unrealistic accusations that will not bring any development to us, is better we get a score card, register sincerely the good work done and advice appropriately where you think needs attention. we should appreciate making good out of a bad situation. our leaders are human beings made from among us. if one assesses the societies of today without bias mind one will surely appreciate the efforts of such leaders like senator Bala Ibn Na’Allah. pls encourage his good works n advice appropriately, there are other sectors that need to be touched, the man is in his second with all the achievements mentioned.
Let me get this clear, you are praising Sen. Na’Allah for using public money to build a personal bore-hole? It is unfortunate that there are those like you who are willing to accept corrupt practices. What the senator has done is corrupt and morally wrong, plain and simple. The end does not justify the corrupt means.
For the record, Distinguished Senator personally deposited for the two boreholes in question. one for him and the other for the Emir. He has not even finished the payment as at today.
If we count the number awarded, you would see they are all awarded allocated appropriately and there is non awarded to his house.
Zuru town Hall was not renovated at a cost of N155million as reported in the story.It was 82 million without VAT and tax and the budget release was 80 percent.
There was no provision for Generator and chairs in the bill of quantities, but Distinguished Senator provided that with his money. But assuming it is even true, is the Senators compound not part of Kebbi South, the constituency in question It’s just mischief from those who are daily becoming apprehensive with our Distinguished Senators track records of achievement and increased popularity, not only in the State , but in Nigeria as a whole.
As everyone is entitled to their own facts; does not negate the existence of the truth. if the allegations are true as you so wonderfully put it, it will be morally wrong aka corruption.