Governor Namadi Condemns ₦10.8 Billion Jigawa Erosion Project, Orders Immediate Rework

Jigawa State Governor Umar Namadi on Friday expressed disappointment over the poor quality of work on a ₦10.8 billion Gully Erosion Control Project, declaring it unacceptable.

During an inspection at Kargo in Dutse Local Government Area, the governor criticized the project’s consultant and site engineer for using substandard materials, questioning the durability of a project meant to last 100 years.

“This is unacceptable; water will wash this away. We can’t take this; it’s not possible,” Namadi said as he scratched the surface of a concrete structure.

He confronted the consultant, who admitted it was an error, prompting a frustrated response from the governor: “Why error everywhere?”

When the project supervisor claimed the work had been approved by the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), Namadi dismissed the defense.

“Don’t tell me that. Was it SON that awarded the contract or the state government? Was the contract paid for by SON or the state government? It should be done according to my standards. This is wrong,” he fired back.

The governor then ordered the contractor to immediately redo the faulty areas.

The seven-kilometer concrete water route, launched on November 30 last year, is funded by the state government under the Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscape (ACReSAL) program with support from the World Bank. It was awarded to Retercha Company Limited to address severe erosion affecting communities in Danmasara, Yalwawa, and Kargo.

The project aims to mitigate decades of environmental damage that have destroyed farmlands, roads, and homes, but the governor’s strong condemnation now raises concerns over its execution.