Minister for Defence Matawalle embezzled N1 billion meant for Gusau hotel project – Zamfara Government
The Zamfara State Government has made shocking allegations against the immediate past governor and the current State Minister for Defence, Bello Matawalle.
Documents released accused the governor of misappropriating over N1 billion meant to construct an abandoned hotel service centre in Gusau, the state’s capital.
As reported by the Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to the Zamfara governor, Sulaiman Bala, the statement disclosed that Matawalle approved payment of over a billion Naira to a construction firm, 180 Circle Construction & Engineering Ltd., for the development of the Gusau Motel, a project that has not been completed.
Among other irregularities in the handling of funds, the statement disclosed that there was a prolonged absence of work at the construction site after the former governor authorised a substantial payment to the contractor.
Even after the contractor resumed work following instructions from the Ministry of Works, the government said significant portions of the project remained unexecuted.
The breakdown of disbursements, as revealed, detailed various payments to the contractor throughout 2021 and 2022, totalling over a billion Naira.
The statement added that despite the enormous payments made, critical aspects of the project, such as the multi-purpose hall, restaurant, laundry, sporting facilities, infrastructure, and perimeter fencing, had yet to commence, exposing a severe mismatch between funds disbursed and actual work completed.
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The state government accused Matawalle of overpaying the contractor by an excessive amount of over 600 million Naira, resulting in the project’s abandonment despite insufficient progress on the site.
The Zamfara State Government emphasised its commitment to exposing financial misconduct and ensuring accountability, asserting its dedication to the state’s “Rescue Mission.”
“It is worrisome to note that the contractor was overpaid the sum of 667,713,161.64 million Naira by Bello Matawalle and subsequently abandoned the project. The work done on-site, as presented in pictures, has been valued at N344,088,384.15, which represents 29.94% of the total progress.
“It goes against the principles of our government’s Rescue Mission and the trust placed in us by the people of Zamfara State to let financial misconduct go unpunished.
“We are committed to uncovering any actions that have breached the people’s trust and holding those responsible accountable. We are on a rescue mission!” the statement revealed.
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