Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago of Niger State has admitted that securing a ₦1 trillion loan for the state’s Urban-Rural Renewal projects may have been excessive, stating that ₦500 billion would have been a more prudent choice.
Addressing contractors handling various state projects, Governor Bago expressed frustration over the slow pace of work despite the availability of funds.
He revealed that less than half of the allocated funds had been utilized, raising concerns about the financial burden on the state.
“If I had known, I would have just taken ₦500 billion because the cost of ₦1 trillion is heavier on me,” he stated.
The governor also criticized the delays in project execution, urging contractors to speed up their work to meet the April 2025 deadline.
“So you want me to come up and tell you to do it? You have to do it in two weeks,” he told the contractors.
While acknowledging progress on some roads, including the Paiko-Lapai road, he warned that contractors failing to meet deadlines would be removed from future projects.
“If you don’t perform by April, I will give the project to someone else. I am serious,” he declared.
