Dr. Sani Abdullahi Shinkafi, the Executive Director of Patriots for the Advancement of Peace and Social Development, has criticized the re-awarding of the contract for the Gusau International Cargo Airport in Zamfara State, stating that the cost of N62.8bn is excessively high, making it one of the most expensive airports in the country.
He accused Zamfara State Governor, Dauda Lawal, of providing misleading information to the Minister of Aviation, Festus Keyamo, by re-inaugurating a project that was initially flagged off by former Governor Bello Matawalle four years ago.
In a statement, Shinkafi highlighted that the previous administration led by Matawalle had initially awarded the airport contract for ₦11.4bn and made a payment of ₦5.8bn to the contractor. He expressed concern that despite the ongoing legal proceedings, Governor Lawal boldly re-awarded the airport project at a significantly higher cost of ₦62.8bn, representing a staggering 600% increase from the ₦11.5bn initially awarded to AVIC International Engineering Limited by the Matawalle administration.
He stated, “Conscious of the short, medium and long-term benefits of the airport project, Bello Matawalle followed due process and awarded the contract for the construction of the airport to AVIC International Engineering Limited at the modest sum of ₦11,444,056,018.07 (Eleven billion, five hundred and fifty-one million, eight hundred and ninety-nine thousand, one hundred and twenty-three naira only).
“A total sum of ₦5,775,949,561.50 (Five billion, seven hundred and seventy-five million, nine hundred and forty-nine thousand, five hundred and sixty-one naira, fifty kobo only) was paid by then Governor Bello Matawalle’s administration for the project.
“AVIC International Engineering Limited had started the construction of the access road to the airport, the Airport Gate, Terminal building, Fire Service Station, underground drainage, construction of 2.5km runway, etc., before Matawalle left office in May 2023.”
He further stated, “It is very glaring that Governor Dauda Lawal was economical with the truth when he alleged that Matawalle earmarked ₦13.3bn for the construction of the Airport Terminal building and expended ₦6.3bn, and nothing to show for it during the recent re-flag off of the construction of the airport project.
“It is disheartening that Lawal would toy with the intelligence of the good people of Zamfara State and deliberately mislead the Minister of Aviation, Festus Keyamo, whom he invited to re-flag off the project that previous governors of the state started.”
