Chairmen of the 44 Local Government Areas of Kano State have sued the state government before a Federal High Court, Abuja over its move to construct two flyovers at Tal’udu and Danagundi all within the metropolis with 70 per cent funding of their monies.
The chairmen of the council were in the court seeking an order to stop the government from using their funds from their joint account.
Parties in the suit with number FHC/ABJ/CS/1733/2023 and dated 29th December, 2023 are the Kano State Government, the State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice and the Accountant General of the state.
The plaintiffs are all the 44 Local Government Councils and the Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON), Kano State chapter.
The governor while laying the foundation of the construction of the two flyovers Friday evening spoke on the financing of the projects saying it has been the tradition from his predecessors to finance such gigantic projects through the joint- account managed by the state and local governments.
He added that when completed, all the local government areas will use the roads on a timely basis.
Speaking at the ceremony, Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf said that the project was aimed at ensuring free flow traffic in the municipal to enhance socio-economic activities in the state.
He said that the project was initiated to reduce traffic congestion, ease travel, beautify the city, control pollution, and develop infrastructure in the ancient city.
He said that Kano as a mega city deserved massive infrastructure transformation to cater for the needs of over 10 million inhabitants and improve their socio-economic well-being.
The former governor of Kano was Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, who is now the APC National chairman.
Governor Abba Yusuf, on Friday, flagged off the construction of two flyovers worth over N 27 billion in the metropolis.
The flyovers, located at ‘Kofar Dan’agundi’ on the BUK road and ‘Tal’udu junction,’ are being financed by the state and local government joint accounts.
An internal memo earlier revealed how one of the flyovers at the Dan’agundi junction will cost about N16 billion. The payment is to be shared in a 30/70 ratio between the state and the 44 local governments.
The memo dated 18 December, from the office of the Accountant General, directed the Commissioner for Local Government, who is the state’s Deputy Governor, Aminu Abdulsalam, to release about N16 billion for the construction of the Dan’agundi flyover.
“Your Excellency kind indulgence is hereby invited to note that, at its sitting held on 29 November 2023, the Executive Council has approved the award of contract to Messrs CGC Nigeria Limited at the figure of N15,974,203.99 to be paid finance by the state and local government joint arrangement at the ratio of 30 per cent and 70 per cent respectively.
“Accordingly, the Executive Council has directed the Ministry of Finance to release advance payment to the tune of N6,389,742,881.59 under a genuine Advance Payment Guarantee (APG) from a reputable Bank to enable quick mobilisation of the contractor.
“The state government is paying over N1.9 billion for the advance payment while the local government councils will pay over N4.4 for the advance payment to the contractor,” the memo stated.
The flyover at the Tal’udu Junction will cost over N11 billion making a total of over N27 billion for the two projects.
Mr Bature said the Dan’agundi project is a three-layer interchange bridge, while the one at Tal’udu junction is a cloverleaf overpass bridge.
The projects were initiated to reduce traffic congestion, ease travel, beautify the city, control pollution, and develop infrastructure, the statement said.
“Kano as a mega city deserves massive infrastructural transformation to cater for the needs of the over ten million urban dwellers and improve the socio-economic well-being of residents of the city.”
The governor called on the contractor handling the project to “ensure timely completion, adhere to the contract provisions, and use quality materials as the government wouldn’t condone sub-standard work,” Mr Bature said.
