Musa Na Allah, Sokoto
Sokoto State Government has resolved to prosecute no fewer than 30 contractors who collected mobilization fees for market construction projects but abandoned their sites without execution.
The resolution was reached during the State Executive Council’s weekly meeting on Wednesday, where members unanimously declared that the era of reckless contractors shortchanging the people is over.
According to the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Barrister Nasiru Mohammed Binji, the affected contractors had received substantial payments for Sokoto Central Market projects but failed to deliver.
He confirmed that their contracts have been terminated and legal action will follow.
“The government will pursue both civil recovery measures and criminal prosecutions to recover every kobo of misappropriated public funds.
“Those who think they can collect money and walk away will face the full weight of the law. Accountability is non-negotiable,” he stressed.
Commissioner for Lands and Housing, Barrister Nasiru Aliyu Dantsoho, reinforced the government’s position, warning that any individual or company found guilty of sabotaging state projects would not be spared.
He described contract abandonment as economic sabotage that will be crushed without compromise.
Alongside punitive measures, the Council approved new projects worth billions of naira. These include the renovation of nine general hospitals, the continuation of key road projects, and the establishment of a modern livestock services centre to boost agriculture.
Commissioner for Health, Dr. Faruk Umar Abubakar Wurno, announced that hospital renovation contracts valued at several billions of Naira have been awarded, each with a six-month completion deadline. He cautioned contractors that delays and abandonment would no longer be tolerated.
The approved hospital contracts include: General Hospital Silame (N308,784,927.57), Wamakko (N292,946,090.93), Binji (N297,554,496.00), Kware (N350,409,850.94), Goronyo (N331,216,583.75), Gada (N313,367,123.00), and Illela (N590,205,644.63). Dr. Wurno explained that Illela’s higher cost was due to fire damage repairs and completion of an earlier abandoned structure.
On infrastructure, Dantsoho disclosed that the Teshe–Illela to More road project, inherited from the previous administration, would continue at an additional cost of N2,408,650,375.00, with the same contractor retained to avoid further delays.
Similarly, a livestock services centre was approved to improve animal health, boost productivity, and strengthen the livestock value chain for both local and export markets.
The Council emphasized that punishing corrupt contractors while awarding credible ones reflects Governor Ahmad Aliyu’s commitment to blocking financial leakages, promoting transparency, and delivering sustainable development.
By moving against the 30 defaulting contractors, the government has sent a strong message that corruption will no longer go unpunished in Sokoto.
Officials say this bold step will restore public confidence, deter future infractions, and ensure that taxpayers’ money is used strictly for its intended purpose.
The government reiterated that no abandoned project, big or small, will be tolerated under the present administration.
