The Adamawa State Commissioner for Works and Energy Development, Mohammed Suleiman, has dismissed allegations that the state government awards contracts at inflated costs, insisting that similar projects are executed in other states at significantly higher prices.
Speaking exclusively with Arewa PUNCH in Yola on Friday, Suleiman said the administration of Governor Ahmadu Fintiri had maintained transparency in contract awards and project execution.
According to him, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has access to the financial details of all projects executed by the administration.
“Whenever the EFCC requests our contract documents, we provide them with all the necessary details for their records,” he said.
The commissioner said the state had also established a dedicated website where details of ongoing and completed projects, including contract costs and completion timelines, are published for public scrutiny.
“We created a website where everything about our projects is available. Anyone who wants to verify the cost, scope or completion date of any project can access the information. That is our commitment to transparency and accountability,” he said.
Reacting to claims that Governor Fintiri could face investigation after leaving office, Suleiman described the allegations as unfounded.
“I laugh when I hear people say the EFCC will arrest the governor after he leaves office. They do not understand how transparent this administration has been. We account for every aspect of our projects, including the cost of materials used,” he said.
Suleiman also disclosed that the Fintiri administration paid more than ₦8 billion to contractors for completed projects inherited from previous administrations.
“When Governor Fintiri assumed office, he first cleared over ₦8 billion owed to contractors for projects completed before his administration. A governor who settled inherited debts cannot be accused of owing contractors,” he said.
The commissioner, who previously served as Director of Engineering under former Governor Murtala Nyako and later as Permanent Secretary during the administration of former Governor Jibrilla Bindow, said prompt payment of contractors had helped eliminate delays in project delivery.
“We have fulfilled our financial obligations to contractors as agreed and expect them to deliver quality projects within the stipulated timeframe,” he said.
Suleiman maintained that the state government owed no contractor.
“If there is any contractor claiming the government owes them, let the person come forward,” he said.
He assured residents that all projects initiated by the Fintiri administration would be completed and inaugurated before the end of the governor’s tenure.
