No ₦4bn Rail Contract Awarded or Paid For, Borno Government Clarifies

The Borno State Government has denied claims that it spent ₦4 billion on rail construction projects in Maiduguri Metropolitan Council (MMC) and Jere Local Government Area, describing reports of the expenditure as inaccurate.

In a statement issued on Monday, the Commissioner for Information and Internal Security, Prof. Usman Tar, said an internal review confirmed that no rail construction project was awarded, funded or executed by the state government during the 2025 fiscal year.

According to the government, 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 such a project within the period under review.

“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,” the statement said.

The government explained that projects of that nature are required to pass through established procurement procedures, including formal proposals, Executive Council approval, budget clearance, contract awards and fund releases.

It noted that none of those processes were initiated or completed in relation to any rail project in 2025.

The clarification followed public scrutiny of a rail project entry contained in the state's 2025 Budget Implementation Report, which reportedly indicated that a rail project had been completed.

According to the government, the inclusion of the rail project in the report and its indication as 100 per cent completed resulted from an administrative error.

“It was however noted that the inclusion of a 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,” the statement added.

The government said relevant stakeholders have been engaged and corrective measures are being taken to update official records and prevent a recurrence.

It reaffirmed its commitment to transparency, accountability and due process in the management of public resources, while commending citizens and civil society groups for their vigilance in promoting good governance.