The Zamfara State Government has released another set of documents to supports its series of allegations against the former Governor of the State, Bello Matawalle.
In a statement released on Wednesday, November 8, 2023, with accompanying documents, the state government alleged that Matawalle misappropriated over ₦1 billion on an abandoned catering and hotel services centre in Gusau, the state capital.
In the statement signed by Sulaiman Bala Idris, the Spokesperson to Governor Dauda Lawal, the State Government called on Matawalle to explain the payment of 93% to 180 Circle Engineering Construction & Engineering Ltd for a project of ₦1,149,288,084.25.
According to Idris, the Zamfara State Government publicly disclosed the documents to promote transparency and accountability and discourage financial banditry among public officials.
The statement read in parts,
Quote
“In the interest of transparency, the Zamfara State Government deems it a responsibility to expose the numerous shady projects initiated by the immediate past administration of Bello Matawalle with the intention of misusing State funds.
“On July 16th, 2020, the previous administration of Bello Matawalle awarded a contract to 180 Circle Engineering Construction and Engineering LTD. The contract was to construct a catering and hotel service centre (Gusau Motel) in Gusau. The total cost of the contract was N1,149,288,084.25.
“On August 7th, 2020, Bello Matawalle approved the payment of mobilisation fees to the firm. The amount approved was N344,786,425.27. However, the contractor disappeared after receiving the payment and did not perform on-site work for a year. This action by Bello Matawalle was a gross violation of financial regulations.
“After a year, the contractor returned to the site but was instructed by the Ministry of Works to provide a written commitment not to repeat such behaviour. This incident indicates the type of leadership prevalent in a government like Matawalle’s.”
“On July 16th, 2020, the previous administration of Bello Matawalle awarded a contract to 180 Circle Engineering Construction and Engineering LTD. The contract was to construct a catering and hotel service centre (Gusau Motel) in Gusau. The total cost of the contract was N1,149,288,084.25.
“On August 7th, 2020, Bello Matawalle approved the payment of mobilisation fees to the firm. The amount approved was N344,786,425.27. However, the contractor disappeared after receiving the payment and did not perform on-site work for a year. This action by Bello Matawalle was a gross violation of financial regulations.
“After a year, the contractor returned to the site but was instructed by the Ministry of Works to provide a written commitment not to repeat such behaviour. This incident indicates the type of leadership prevalent in a government like Matawalle’s.”
According to the statement, in July 2021, Matawalle released the sum of ₦100,420,259.62, to 180 Circle Engineering Construction & Engineering Ltd.
On August 27 of the same year, the construction firm reportedly received ₦257,060,936.72, while the state’s Ministry of Finance allegedly paid ₦185,250,000.00 to the contractor the same day.
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