Reps issues ultimatum to Works Permsect over N1.4bn road contract

…threatens to issue warrant of arrest

By Christiana Ekpa

The House of Representatives Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has given the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Works, Mr. Yakubu Adam Kofarmata, a five-day ultimatum to appear before it and answer questions regarding the alleged abandonment of a federal road construction project in Kaduna State, valued at N1,461,376,553.75.
PAC Chairman, Rep. Bamidele Salam announced the directive after the Permanent Secretary failed to respond to two previous invitations.
The committee made the resolution while entertaining issues bothering on non-compliance with financial regulations, the procurement act, and to assess the value for money concerning the project.
The road construction contract, which spans 115 kilometer and was awarded to Jam-Jam Dynamic Platform Ltd on October 5, 2022, was expected to be completed within 12 months.
The committee frowned at the attitude of the Permanent Secretary whom it said has formed the habit of treating the invitation of the committee with levity and stated that, this time, it will never be Business as usual.
Our correspondent observed that the Permanent Secretary did not appear or respond to invitations sent on August 5th and October 11th, 2024 respectively.
Rep. Salam emphasized that the committee requires an explanation for the full payment made to Jam-Jam Dynamic Platform Ltd. despite no evidence of project execution.
Consequently, a motion to the effect was moved by Rep. Dauda Nyampa, amended and seconded by Rep. Ari Mohammed and was unaimously supported by the members.
“Public Accounts Committee of the House of Representatives has issued a five-day ultimatum to the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of works to show cause why a warrant of arrest should not be issued against him by the house of representatives for failure to respond either in writing or to appear before this constitutional committee to explain why a sum of N1.4 billion was paid to Jam-Jam Dynamic platform Ltd. for the construction of Gidanwanya-Guaran, Dutse-Waman, Ravi-Saminaka-Kano Road awarded on the 5th October 2022 to be completed within 12 months received full payment without execution of the project”, the Chairman maintained.
The committee has made it clear that if the Permanent Secretary does not appear or respond by Tuesday, next week, a warrant of arrest will be sought for his failure to address the allegations surrounding the substantial payment made for the abandoned road project.

Public Accounts Committee also said that the Permanent Secretary has up to Tuesday 29th October, 2024 to respond and appear before it.