Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Borno State Government has conceded that the inclusion of a N4 billion rail project in its 2025 Budget Implementation Report, which indicated 100 per cent completion, was an administrative error and does not reflect the true position of the matter, as the said project was neither executed nor paid for.
The clarification, issued on Monday, June 22, 2026, by the Commissioner for Information and Internal Security, Professor Usman Tar, followed a damning report by Tracka, a civic accountability organisation, which questioned the state’s claim that N2 billion was spent on rail construction projects in Maiduguri Metropolitan Council and another N2 billion in Jere Local Government Area. According to Tracka, field visits conducted in May 2026 found no evidence of recently executed rail construction or rehabilitation works in the affected areas. “There was no visible evidence of recently completed rail construction or rehabilitation works, no active construction sites, no contractor presence, and no project signage indicating that N4 billion worth of projects had been executed,” Tracka stated.
Responding to the report, the Borno State Government said an internal review conducted by relevant ministries confirmed that no rail project was awarded, funded or executed by the state government during the 2025 fiscal year. Professor Tar stated: “Following internal review and consultations with the Ministry of Budget, Ministry of Transport and Energy, and other relevant players in the official procurement process, the Borno State Government wishes to state categorically that no rail construction project was awarded, funded, or executed by the Government during the 2025 fiscal year. It is hereby confirmed that no Executive Council approval was sought or obtained for any rail project, no budget clearance was requested, no contract was awarded, and no funds were released for any such project within the period under reference.”
Tar added: “It was, however, noted that the inclusion of rail project entry in the 2025 Budget Implementation Report, indicating 100 per cent completion, was an administrative error and does not reflect the true position of the matter as the said project was neither executed nor paid for.” He said steps were being taken to correct the records and prevent a recurrence, while reaffirming the government’s commitment to transparency, due process and accountability in the management of public resources. The government also appreciated the vigilance of citizens and civil society organisations in promoting good governance.
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