Gusau Cargo Airport: Advocacy Group Urges EFCC To Investigate ₦6.78bn Payment

A Civil Society Advocacy Group for Accountability and Probity has urged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to investigate the alleged disbursement of ₦6.78 billion to the contractor responsible for the construction of Gusau International Cargo Airport. This project was associated with former Zamfara State Governor and Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle.

During a press conference held in Abuja on Sunday, the group’s National Coordinator, Danesi Momoh, insisted that it was concerning that the contractor received ₦6.78 billion when the project was only 19.47% complete, with an expenditure of approximately ₦2.25 billion. This sum raised questions given the project’s total value of ₦11 billion.

The group alleged that payments made during Matawalle’s tenure did not align with accurate assessments of the work’s progress, as they were not certified by supervising ministries or agencies, despite claims to the contrary.

In response, Matawalle’s spokesperson, Ibrahim Dosara, released a statement refuting these allegations. Dosara argued that these claims were unfounded and merely an attempt to tarnish the former governor’s reputation. He emphasized that Matawalle inherited the airport project contract from his predecessor and chose to proceed with it for the betterment of the state.

Dosara further explained that the project’s funding mechanism involved a “Contract Financing” agreement between the Zamfara State government and select private companies in collaboration with funding banks. These banks released funds only upon confirmation that the government-issued certificates aligned with the actual work completed on-site.

He also pointed out that access roads, gates, drainage systems, and other essential infrastructure components had been finished, with an environmental assessment carried out and completed by the Federal Ministry of Aviation.