Borno concedes mistake in N4bn railway scheme listing in financial document

The Borno State Government has conceded that the N4bn rail project listed in its 2025 Budget Implementation Report was a mistake, sparked by concerns from a civic accountability organisation regarding the project's reported completion.

n

This development came after Tracka published a report on June 15, questioning the state's assertion that it spent N2bn on rail construction projects in Maiduguri Metropolitan Council and another N2bn in Jere Local Government Area, with both projects claimed to be 100 per cent completed.

n

Tracka's report was based on field visits conducted in May 2026, which found no evidence of recent rail construction or rehabilitation works in the affected areas, despite the state's claims.

n

The organisation observed old and deteriorating rail infrastructure at the Maiduguri Railway Terminus and along rail corridors in MMC and Jere LGAs, contradicting the state's reported completion of the projects.

n

Tracka noted that 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.

n

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

n

The statement acknowledged recent reports alleging that the sum of Four Billion Naira (₦4,000,000,000) was spent on rail construction projects in Maiduguri Metropolitan Council and Jere Local Government Area without any evidence of execution on the ground.

n

The government considered it necessary to clarify the matter in the interest of transparency, accountability, and providing the public with accurate information, according to Tar.

n

Consultations with the Ministry of Budget, Ministry of Transport and Energy, and other relevant agencies showed that there was no record of any rail construction project undertaken by the state government within the period under review.

n

Tar added 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 such a project.

n

He emphasized that projects of this nature must follow established due process, including formal proposal, Executive Council approval, budget clearance, contract award, and subsequent release of funds, none of which were initiated or concluded in relation to any rail line project during the 2025 fiscal year.

n

The inclusion of the rail project entry in the 2025 Budget Implementation Report, indicating 100 per cent completion, was deemed an administrative error and does not reflect the true position of the matter, as the said project was neither executed nor paid for.

n

Steps are being taken to correct the records and prevent a recurrence, according to Tar, who reiterated the government's commitment to transparency, due process, and accountability in the management of public resources.

n

The government also appreciated the vigilance of citizens, civil society organisations, and stakeholders in promoting good governance and public accountability.