The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Governor Nasir el-Rufai

  • Security council lifts curfew in Southern Kaduna LGs

    Security council lifts curfew in Southern Kaduna LGs

    Barely two weeks after the launch of military operation Harbin Kunama II, the curfew in two local government areas in southern Kaduna has been fully lifted.

    The Kaduna State Security Council on Tuesday announced the lifting of the curfew in Jema’a and Kaura local government areas, following its weekly meeting. The curfew in Zangon Kataf local government area was earlier lifted.

    A statement issued at the end of the security council meeting and signed by the Special Assistant to Governor Nasir El-Rufai on Media and Publicity, Samuel Aruwan said, “Today’s meeting received and reviewed reports from the security agencies which pointed to improvements in the security situation. Therefore the Council upheld the security recommendation that the curfew be removed with immediate effect.

    “The State Security Council expressed the hope that all communities in the area will embrace the opportunities offered by the improved security situation to make sustained moves for peace and harmony.

    “Speaking at the meeting, Governor Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai, tasked security agencies to maintain the tempo by ensuring security of life and property throughout the state.

    “The security council meeting, which was chaired by El-Rufai, had in attendance, Commander 1 Division Garrison, Nigerian Army, Brig-Gen Ismaila Isa, Commander 453 Base Services Group, Nigerian Air Force, Air Commodore Idi Amin, Representative of the Commandant, Nigerian Navy School of Armament, Capt SM Ochidi, Commissioner of Police, Mr. Agyole Abeh, Director DSS, Tijjani Mohammed Wakil and heads of other security agencies”.

  • We’ve committed N2bn to projects on flight diversion to Kaduna – El-Rufai

    We’ve committed N2bn to projects on flight diversion to Kaduna – El-Rufai

    Kaduna state government said it has committed N2 billion to the preparation for the diversion of flights to Kaduna International Airport due to the proposed closure of Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport, Abuja to repair its runway.

    The amount according to Governor El-Rufai is being spent on the building of the new road linking Kaduna Airport with the light rail train station in Rigasa, resurfacing of the, Nnamdi Azikwe Express Way and installing of solar powered streets lights among others.

    Governor Nasir El-Rufai who disclosed this when he received the Corps Marshall of Federal Road Safety Commission, Mr Boboye Oyeyemi in his office in Kaduna Wednesday, said that the projects when completed will serve four states in the North west region.

    According to him, “We have committed close to N2 billion of our resources to the new airport work. We are building a link road from the train station to the airport. We are financing police outpost and resurfacing western bypass with solar street lights, we are rehabilitating airport link road from Mando with street lights from our inadequate resources. If the experiment succeeds Kaduna stand to get some gains. 

    “We are confident that Kaduna would be ready very soon, we are working hard on security and infrastructure, 40 percent of passengers that fly out of Abuja airport are from Kaduna, Zamfara, Sokoto, Kebbi states.”

    Speaking on the state-owned Doka General Hospital, Governor el-Rufai said the state government has awarded contracts for construction of emergency reception facility in the hospital. “Kaduna state government has awarded contract for the construction of emergency reception facility at Doka to be ready in months. World class trauma centre with helipad for emergency evacuation, MRI, RT scan facilities will be ready before the end of the year or early next year.”

    Governor El-Rufai said the decision to ask FRSC men to concentrate on federal highways was made by the state security council borne of complaints of checkpoints that end up causing accident instead of stopping it. “It was the decision of the Security Council to ask men of the road safety corps to focus on the highway and allow state traffic regulation agency to man the urban roads. 

    “We did not ban road safety staffs or activities in Kaduna state, we have no such powers. The relationship between FRSC and our traffic agency should be complementary and not duplicated efforts. FRSC should concentrate on highway and state agency should focus on urban roads. IIf the road safety corps has been embarrassed it is my duty to apologize.

    “We look forward to training of our state traffic agency to highest international standard. We look forward to hiring a further 1,000 staff for the agency. Overloading is a big issue, a danger to those within and outside the vehicle. Tankers carrying firewood and other goods have become danger to our roads and citizens as well.”

    The Corps Marshall, Boboye Oyeyemi commended the state government for supporting FRSC in the state and for setting up Kaduna State Traffic and Environmental Law Enforcement Agency (Kastelea), saying that there is need to train the members for effective application of traffic laws. He said 16 states have set up state traffic agencies, noting that there is need to share responsibility with the state traffic agencies. 

    “The Federal Road Safety Corps had policy shift to focus on federal highway and allow states set up traffic management agencies. The Corps will then transfer responsibility of traffic control of the state and urban roads to the state agencies, while focusing on the federal highways. 16 states have since set up their traffic management agencies and we are sharing responsibility by regulating their activities.

    “I learnt that your state traffic agency started operation in January (2017), they would need proper training so that we can be on same page and work to remove recalcitrant drivers from the road and save more lives. We would do more regulatory work while concentrating on federal highways. I learnt what some of our boys did, you don’t need to worry, I would carry out major reorganization in FRSC in the state. 

    “We are setting up eight additional outposts along Kaduna-Abuja highway with four on Kaduna side, two will be sited along bypass, one at the train station and one at the airport. We are also setting up four more ambulance points along the road. I’m worried about overload which I have witnessed along Abuja Kaduna road up to Kano, putting people in the boot with rams. I’m working on it but can’t leave Abuja always, you need to help us about it. 

    “The Doka Hospital is not equipped, we move crash victims to St Gerard Hospital and some of them die along the way. The hospital needs to be equipped to serve as a traumatic center, Kaduna state government need to do something about it. Most of the crashes take place about 300 meters either side of the hospital because it is a long stretch of road which force drivers to over speed”, he said.

  • El-Rufai faults CAN President over Southern Kaduna killings

    El-Rufai faults CAN President over Southern Kaduna killings

    Governor Nasir El Rufai of Kaduna state has said that the killings in Southern Kaduna by suspected herdsmen is pure criminality and has nothing to do with ethnicity and religion.

    Speaking to a group of journalists, the governor faulted the statement credited to the President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Rev Supo Ayokunle, who had earlier described the attacks as religious cleansing.

    El-Rufai pointed out that, ‘’the same Fulani are killing Fulani in hundreds in Zamfara state. It has nothing to do with religion or ethnicity. It is pure banditry.’’

    According to the governor, the perpetrators of the attacks in both Southern Kaduna and Zamfara state are just criminals, adding that, ‘’their ethnicity and religion do not matter.’’

    El Rufai pleaded with leaders to be mindful of their utterances and to stop encouraging their people to resort to self-help. ‘’Lets fight the problem; let’s not bring sentiments, sensationalism and division into it,’’ he added.

    The governor narrated the steps that his administration had taken in order to understand the root cause of the killings in Southern Kaduna, beginning with the setting up of the retired General Martin Luther Agwai Committee.

    He said that the committee found out that the killings in the area was rooted in the 2011 Post Election Violence, where Fulani from Cameroun and Niger republic were killed in Southern Kaduna while they were returning to their countries.

    ‘’They organized themselves and came back for revenge,’’ El-Rufai said, adding that ‘’a lot of what was happening in Southern Kaduna and Plateau State is actually from outside Nigeria.’’

    El-Rufai said that Governor Patrick Yakowa had sent emissaries to some of these Fulani communities in neighboring countries in order to make peace ‘’but after his death, the whole thing stopped.’’ 

    He further said that his administration continued from where Yakowa stopped, by sending some people to go round these countries to explain to the Fulanis that ‘’there is a new governor. He is also Fulani like you and he has no problem paying compensation for loss of lives and livestock. But he is begging you to stop the killings.’’

    According to the governor, most of the communities forgave the killing of their relatives during the Post-Election Violence, after hearing this explanation.

    ‘’There were one or two that asked for monetary compensation for cattle. They said that they had forgiven the deaths of human beings but they should be compensated for their lost cattle. We said no problem and we paid,’’ he added.

    The governor said that there was peace when these steps were taken ‘’but what is happening now, I don’t want to restrict it to Southern Kaduna, is a case of pure banditry.’’

    According to the Governor, these renewed killings have nothing to do with the fall- outs of the post-election violence. ‘’It was a small problem that started in Ninte, Godogodo, that could have been handled better by both the Fulani and community leaders,’’ he said.

    El-Rufai further said that the killings in Kaura was triggered off when youths attacked a police station and killed the very Fulani man who had reported his brother to the police for suspected criminal activities.

    While appealing for restraint on both sides, he said that as governor of Kaduna state, ‘’I am very sad over the loss of life because the burden is on me. I am supposed to defend everyone. We regret the loss of lives and property.’’

  • Why we declared Shi’ite group illegal – El Rufai

    Why we declared Shi’ite group illegal – El Rufai

    Governor Nasir El Rufai of Kaduna state has said that he decided to declared the famous Shi’ites group, the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN) an unlawful society because its activities was an insurgency waiting to happen.

    Governor El Rufai who spoke to a select-group of journalists Monday, said that IMN leader, Sheikh Ibraheem El Zakzaky was not practicing the doctrine of Shi’ism but was gathering enough members in order to stage an Iranian-type Islamic revolution in Nigeria.

    The governor clarified that he neither banned the Shiite sect nor Shi’ism in Kaduna state but merely invoked the powers conferred on him by the penal code which was enacted in 1963, to declare IMN an unlawful society.

    According to El Rufai, the government only declared IMN illegal but there are two other Shi’ite sects that are carrying on with their activities freely in Kaduna state. He argued that it is wrong to equate only IMN with Shi’ism, adding that IMN is just one group that professes the doctrine but there are several others.

    ‘’There is also a misconception that IMN is the same thing as Shiites; it is only one sect out of many Shiite organizations. There is one Shiite group that is headquartered here in Kaduna, which is headed by Sheikh Hamza Lawal. He used to be with IMN but he left them when he realized that IMN is more interested in political struggles than religious development, ‘’ he said.

    El Rufai said that Sheikh Hamza appeared before the Justice Lawal Garba Judicial Commission of Inquiry and gave evidence by saying that ‘’there is nothing in Shia doctrine that says that you should not recognize the government of your country.’’

    He pointed out that the government cannot ban any religious organization or practice in the state but that the penal code gives him the powers to declare any organization as an unlawful society ‘’if it poses a threat to the security, peace and governance of the state.’’

    ‘’We concluded, after receiving the report of the Judicial Commission of Inquiry that looked into the clashes between IMN and the army, that IMN poses a threat to the security, peace and governance of the state,’’ he said, adding that ‘’we did not ban Shiism, we did not ban Shiites, we did not say that they can’t practice their religion.’’

    Adducing more reasons why he declared IMN an unlawful society, the Governor said that the group ‘’does not recognize the constitution of Nigeria. They do not recognize Buhari as president. They do not recognize me as governor of Kaduna state, they had their own governor in Tudun Wada.’’

    According to him, IMN have their own paramilitary personnel which they call ‘’Hurras’’ and they used to bear arms in violation of the Nigerian laws. ‘’And they do not accept that any law in Nigeria applies to them,’’ he further said.

    The governor pointed out that ‘’because they do not recognize any law in Nigeria, IMN is  not registered with Corporate Affairs Commission. So, they cannot be sued or held responsible for their actions. They build anywhere they find land, they do not even bother to apply for land titles.’’

    El Rufai also said that IMN used to block public high ways and occupy schools during their processions. ‘’In the practice of their religion, they infringed on the rights of others and that is completely wrong  in Islam.’’

    ‘’So, if you put all these together, you will realize that IMN was an insurgency that was waiting to happen. IMN was a political organization. The intention of El Zakzaky was to gather enough followers to effect an Iranian-type revolution in Nigeria. Nigeria is not a 100% Muslim country that you can do that kind of revolution,’’ El Rufai said.

    In spite of the fact that IMN has been declared an unlawful organization, El Rufai however said that it is wrong for citizens to take the law into their hands by attacking them. He said that those who attacked some IMN members during the last Ashura celebrations have been apprehended and being prosecuted in court.

  • Buhari to sign executive order on transparency in govt – Malami

    Buhari to sign executive order on transparency in govt – Malami

    Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN on Monday disclosed that, as part of his efforts to entrench his fight against corruption, President Muhammadu Buhari will soon sign an executive order on transparency and efficiency in government.

    Speaking at the National open government partnership retreat in Kaduna State, the Minister said “Corruption remains one of the biggest impediments to National development. It is illegal and illegitimate. It concerns actions that are often clandestine and practices that those who perpetrate it always try to conceal.”

    He continued that, “Numerous scholars insist that many of the political, social and especially economic problems we face in Nigeria is still traceable to the problem of corruption.”

    Malami also commended the Kaduna State Government, Governor Nasir El-Rufai, saying “We settled for hosting this event in Kaduna for many reasons including the fact that Governor Nasir El-Rufai has made significant efforts in engaging with the citizens and In the publication of Budget information as well as his desire to fast track the development of open government partnership principles in Kaduna State. It is my hope that Kaduna State can become a pilot state for the purpose of implementing OGP principles at the sub National level.”

    “The open government partnership is a multi-stakeholders initiative focused on improving transparency accountability citizen participation and responsiveness to citizens  through technology and innovation. OGP was formally launched in 2011 when the 8 founding governments Brazil, Indonesia, Mexico, Norway, the Philippines, South Africa, the United Kingdom among others, saying Nigeria formally joined in in July 2016. 

    “Let me reiterate that the FGN will continue to pursue reform program on transparency and accountability through targeted measures based on the commitments that we have made to promote fiscal transparency open procurement open contracting access to information asset disclosure citizen engagement and empowerment.”

    However he said “dwindling oil revenue government is desirous to continue to provide an enabling environment to attract foreign investors in order to diversify the economy. President Buhari has made it clear that Nigeria is open for business and has assured the world that illicit finance will have no hiding place in our country. 

    “In the coming weeks, the president will sign an executive order on promoting transparency and efficiency for the creation of an enabling business environment in Nigeria that will mandate all ministries, agencies and department to adopt openness in contracting procedures and publishing of contracts.”

    In his own remarks, Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, represented by his Deputy Barnabas Bala Bantex said, “This government believes that the governance standards embodied in the Open Government Partnership are very helpful in advancing the implementation of transparent and result-oriented government.

    “In Kaduna State, we are cooperating with BudgIT on budget transparency, and everyone already knows that we insist on open competitive bidding for our contracts. Hardly a week passes without us publishing tenders in the newspapers. We have also established a platform for citizen engagement, with the Eyes and Ears project that confers on citizens the capacity to engage in real-time monitoring of our projects.”

    According to him, “these efforts towards open government are being acknowledged by our development partners.”

  • Kaduna declares Shi’ite movement unlawful society

    Kaduna declares Shi’ite movement unlawful society

    The Kaduna State Government has issued an order declaring the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN) an unlawful society.
    A statement signed by the Special Assistant to Governor Nasir El-Rufai on Media and Publicity, Samuel Aruwan, said the action is taken in the exercise of the government’s duty to preserve peace and security in the state, and to ensure that all persons and organisations are guided by lawful conduct and with due allegiance to the Nigerian state and its Constitution.
    The Kaduna state executive council approved the making of this order following deliberations at its meeting on Thursday, 06 October 2016.
    According to the statement, “the Order, which has been signed by the Governor, draws on powers vested by the Constitution and the laws of Kaduna State. Section 45 (1) of the Constitution categorically vests in the Governor the powers to take such measures and actions as are necessary for the promotion and protection of public safety, public order, public morality or public health; or the rights and freedom of all persons in Kaduna State.
    “Section 97A of the Penal Code (Cap 110, Laws of Kaduna State, 1991) empowers the Governor to declare as an unlawful society any organisation whose activities are dangerous to the security and good governance of the state.
    “The Judicial Commission of Inquiry into the Zaria Clashes of 12-14 December 2015 found that the IMN is not a registered organisation, that it has a paramilitary wing and that its members do not recognise or respect the laws of the country and the duly constituted authorities that have the responsibility to secure and administer the country.
    “The Declaration Order noted that since the regrettable events in Zaria which resulted in the loss of 347 lives, the IMN “has overtly continued with unlawful processions, obstruction of public highways, unauthorized occupation of public facilities including schools without regard to the rights of other citizens and the public peace and order of the State.
    “The Order noted that ‘these acts if allowed to go unchecked, will constitute dangers to the peace, tranquility, harmonious coexistence and good governance of Kaduna State’.
    “The Declaration Order, which comes into effect on Friday, 7 October 2016, provides for the prosecution of persons that may be in breach of its provisions under the laws of Kaduna State:
    “Whoever manages, or is a member of the said Society under any appellation or mutation with the propensity of causing the breakdown of law and order, or operates in a manner dangerous to the good governance of the State shall, from commencement of this order, be prosecuted in accordance with the Laws of Kaduna State.
    “Sections 97A and 97B of the Penal Code prescribe a penalty of imprisonment for seven years or a fine or both for any person convicted for belonging to an unlawful society.
    “The Kaduna State Government reaffirms its vigorous commitment to upholding the right of citizens to practice the religion of their choice. These are rights fully protected by Sections 38 and 40 of the Constitution.
    “Such rights to freedom of thought and worship must, however, be exercised in ways that do not infringe on the rights of others, and should not subject other people to distress and inconvenience,” the statement read.
  • Gunmen invade three Kaduna villages, 11 feared killed

    Gunmen invade three Kaduna villages, 11 feared killed

    Unknown gunmen in the early hours of Tuesday were reported to have invaded three villages near area called Godogodo town in Jema’a Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

    The incident left 11 victims feared killed and several others injured, while some houses were also alleged to have been set on fire in part of a village.

    According to a source from the village who spoke to Journalists on phone, the villages were attacked in the dead of the night.

    Meanwhile, Governor Nasir El-Rufai condemned the violence in Godogodo, while speaking at the meeting of the traditional rulers in Kaduna on Tuesday.

    The villages attacked were Gada Biyu, where six men and three women were said to have been killed; Akwa’a, which lost two men, but the village was not vandalised and Anguwan Anjo, where no live was lost, but shooting was heard till day break.

    Kaduna State Police Command Spokesman, ASP Aliyu Usman, said he was yet to get any details of the attack, but assured that everything has been brought under control.

    A distress villager who spoke on grounds of anonymity for the sake of his security said: “gunmen in plenty numbers invaded Gada Biyu, 2 km from Godogodo around 6 am on Monday morning and started shooting, stabbing and burning down houses. People fled in different directions.

    “When the killers escaped from Gada Biyu, they resurfaced at Akua’a this morning and killed two people. But they did not burn any house there. The Police arrived on time again, and they ran away. But this afternoon they appeared at Agwan Anjo and started shooting. But by this time people have fled the village, and the police also arrived promptly.

    However, about an hour ago, the police, who have not had any rest, went to get some food in town. Now, I am sure if you listen very well you can hear the sound of heavy gun fire. They are shooting from afar”.

    “We believe that the motive of the attack is to displace us and take over our lands.

    “We are hoping that the military will join the police because we are sure that they will return, or even attack Godogodo where our women and children are taking refuge. We need urgent help,” he said.

    Meanwhile, in his response, ASP Aliyu Usman said that everything had been brought under control with the deployment of a contingent of Operation Yaki on ground at the embattled villages, adding that “I do not have details, but I will brief you later”.

     

  • Committee on Shiites, Army clash begins work

    Committee on Shiites, Army clash begins work

    A committee to draft the White Paper on the report of the Judicial Commission of Inquiry set up by Kaduna State government to probe the  clashes between members of the Shi’ites Movement and the Nigerian Army has commenced work.

    The nine-man panel chaired by Adamu Mohammed Mansur,  the Permanent Secretary in the state Ministry of Education,  is expected to submit a draft paper on the incident within the two weeks.

    It would be recalled that, the commission of inquiry which probed the December 12-14 incidents in Zaria, had on 15 July submitted its report to Governor Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai.

    Receiving the report, Governor Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai said that the Kaduna State Government will study the report and make the issue a White Paper promptly to convey its decisions on the recommendations of the Commission of Inquiry.

    A statement issued by the Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to the Governor on Media and Publicity, Samuel Aruwan said, other members of the White Paper Drafting Committee are: Hauwa U. Umar Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources, Bari’atu Yusuf Mohammed Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Works, Housing and Transport, Ibrahim Sambo, Permanent Secretary, Ministry for Local Government and Ja’afaru Ibrahim Sani Permanent Secretary, Cabinet Affairs and Special Services.

    They also include: Aisha Kumbo Mohammed Permanent Secretary, Solicitor-General and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Justice, Ambisa Adze Jonah, Permanent Secretary, Civil Service Commission, Barrister M.I Aliyu, Ministry of Justice and Alexander K. Sule, Office of the Secretary to the State Government.

    The terms of reference guiding the committee is to study the recommendations of the Report of the Judicial Commission of Inquiry into the clash between a Detachment of the Nigerian Army and Members of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria and produce a white paper on the report.

    It is also expected to make any other recommendation(s) that will assist government in addressing issues raised in the report.

    The committee is expected to conclude the task and submit a report to the government within two weeks from its first day of sitting.

  • Fight over woman turns bloody in Kaduna 

    Fight over woman turns bloody in Kaduna 

    Fight over woman went bloody between two neighbouring communities of Badarawa Kwaru and Unguwar Yero both in Kaduna North Local Government Areas of Kaduna State.

    The Nation gathered that, not fewer than six persons have died since the eruption of fight on Sunday night, while several others were injured.

    Meanwhile, as at the time of filing this report on Wednesday afternoon, heavy presence of Police and soldiers forced residents of the area to remain indoor, as several gunshots were fired into the air at interval.

    Eye witnesses accounts said, the fight started between two men on Sunday night over a woman.

    Emmanuel Kaja told our Correspondent that, a man from Kwaru community came on motorbike to Unguwar Yero to see his alleged concubine who is wife of a man in Unguwar Yero.

    According to him, “The woman was girlfriend of the Kwaru man who used to give her money when they were dating. But the lady in question married another person. But after their marriage, the lady and her ex boyfriend were still going out.

    “On that Sunday evening, the Kwaru man came as usual to look for his concubine. They met as usual, but the husband who was already suspecting his wife trailed her to where they were standing. So, when he accosted them, the Kwaru man kicked his bike and stabbed his concubine’s husband in the stomach.

    “The man later died before he could be rushed to the hospital. But, what got people of the area angry is that, the Governor later came begging the people to be patient without taking action to bring the culprit to book.

    “That was why Unguwar Yero people also started attacking people suspected to be Hausa-Muslim.” He said.

    Another eye witness also told The Nation that, Governor Nasir el-Rufai who at Unguwar Yero on Sunday night to broker peace was stoned by angry youths.

    He said, “when the governor arrived, the area, the angry youths didn’t even allow him to speak, they just started chanting ‘bama so’, meaning, ‘we don’t want’.

    Meanwhile, after the Governor’s visit, the crisis started taking religious and ethnic dimensions since Monday, as groups from the neighboring Kwaru and Unguwar Yero resulted to attacking people identified as members of the opposite ethnic or religious group.

    As at Wednesday morning, normalcy had returned to the areas, as group suspected to be of Kwaru extraction stormed Ghana Road area of Malali and Unguwar Yero, attacking two traders, one of whom is feared dead.

    However, as at the time of filing this report, casualties figure according to eye witnesses stood at six.

    Meanwhile, Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Zubairu Abubakar said, “Many arrests have been made, but I cannot tell you the number of the arrest until I find out from the office. However, calm has returned to the two communities and under control.”

    The Police did not also confirm that number of casualties.

  • El-Rufai renegotiates Yero’s contract, saves N1.1bn

    El-Rufai renegotiates Yero’s contract, saves N1.1bn

    Governor Nasir El-Rufai led Kaduna State Government said it has saved N1.1bn from the N3.685bn Kawo Road contract awarded by the immediate past government of Governor Mukhtar Ramalan Yero.

    This was disclosed by the state Commissioner of Works, Housing and Transport, Hassan Usman Mahmudat a press briefing after the weekly Executive Council meeting.

    Mahmud said the saving was achieved following a renegotiation of the contract that was awarded by the previous government in December 2014 to Mothercatat the sum of N3.685bn.

    The contract was to expand the 5.125 kilometre road from Kawo flyover to the Lugard Hall roundabout. “Following the review of the project, the contract sum was reduced to N2.504bn,” Mahmud confirmed.

    The commissioner further disclosed that the State Executive Council has approved the new contract sum, and welcomed the efforts of the government team in saving N1.1bn for the state.

    Governor Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai had in September 2015 ordered suspension of work on the Kawo Road contract to enable a thorough review of the rates and the scope of work on the project.