Zamfara State Gov. demands return of N2.7 billion govt vehicles within five days
Story from Saleh INUWA, Kano
The Zamfara State Governor, Dauda Lawal, has accused his predecessor, Bello Matawalle, of misappropriating N2,794,337,500 worth of vehicles during his tenure.
According to Governor Lawal, Matawalle failed to leave these vehicles behind upon his exit from office last Monday.
It has been revealed that a contract was awarded by the former governor for the purchase of vehicles to be distributed to dignitaries and various Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) at a cost of N1,149,800,000.
The contract was awarded to Hafkhad Properties and Facilities Management Nig. LTD. Furthermore, the governor alleged that N484,512,500 was spent on three bulletproof Jeeps, N459,995,000 for seven sets of bulletproof Prado Jeeps and Land Cruisers, and N228,830,000 for seven Toyota Hilux vehicles.
Sulaiman Bala Idris, the governor’s Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, stated in a press release that the Zamfara APC’s defensive response to the looting orchestrated by the former governor only confirms the party’s descent into confusion and failure.
Governor Lawal further revealed that N61,200,000 was paid for 30 sets of Peugeot 406 cars, N130,000,000 for one bulletproof Land Cruiser, and N160,000,000 for two Land Cruiser Jeeps. Additionally, three vehicles were purchased for the office of the Deputy Governor at a cost of N120,000,000.
The statement issued by the governor’s office reads, “Our government is committed to fulfilling the campaign promises made to the good people of Zamfara State, which includes swiftly recovering looted public funds and properties. The mischievous statements made by the APC are aimed at distracting us from the work that positively impacts the lives of the people.”
“We have the facts and records that expose Matawalle’s impropriety. Where is the lie? A contract was awarded by the former governor for the purchase of vehicles to be distributed to dignitaries and various Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) at the cost of N1,149,800,000. The contract for the purchase of the vehicles was awarded to Hafkhad Properties and Facilities Management Nig. LTD.”
“The money was meant for the purchase of a Toyota Lexus VIP Bullet Proof 2021 Model, Toyota Land Cruiser VIP Bullet Proof 2021 Model, Toyota Prado V6 2021 Model, Toyota Prado V4 2021 Model, Peugeot 2021 Model, Toyota Hilux 2021 Model, Toyota Land Cruiser Bullet Proof 2021, and Toyota Lexus 2021 Model.”
The statement continued to highlight the payments made for the vehicles: “On the 4th of October 2021, the former Governor paid MUSACO the sum of N484,512,500 for the supply of three bulletproof Jeeps; on the 19th of May 2021, Matawalle paid TK Global Services N61,200,000 for the supply of 30 sets of Peugeot 406 cars; and on the 15th of December 2021, Nadeen Butta was paid N130,000,000 for the supply of one bulletproof Land Cruiser.”
It was also revealed that on the 26th of February 2022, a contractor named Dapiyau B. Linus was paid the sum of N160,000,000 for the supply of two Land Cruiser Jeeps 2021 model. Additionally, on the 20th of March 2022, Matawalle’s government paid MUSACO the sum of N120,000,000 for the supply of three vehicles for the office of the Deputy Governor.”
“The Zamfara APC’s continued attempts to defend the looting of the state’s official vehicles by the outgoing governor and his associates is the epitome of indignity,” the statement emphasized.
“None of the vehicles are available in the government house. This is a show of shame, not only for the state chapter of the APC but for anyone justifying Matawalle’s actions.”
Governor Lawal concluded by demanding that Matawalle and his deputy return all the missing vehicles within five working days.
He stated, “We have officially communicated with former Governor Bello Matawalle and his deputy, urging them to return all the missing vehicles within five (5) working days.”