Al-Makura sets up committee to probe ex-Nasarawa govs after 88 months in office

Governor Umaru Al-Makura

Governor Umaru Al-Makura of Nasarawa State has set up a 10-man committee to investigate the circumstances that led to the abandonment of the N5.4 billion Farin-Ruwa Independent Power Plant project in the state.

Al-Makura is commencing the probe after seven years and four months in office.

The Farin-Ruwa hydro-electricity power project was awarded in May 2004, by former Nasarawa governor Abdullahi Adamu, while there was an upward review of the cost by Adamu’s successor, Aliyu Doma.

Mohammed Abdullahi, Secretary to the State Government, in a statement on Wednesday in Lafia, said that the committee would be chaired by Mr. Ayuba Ayenajeh, the Commissioner of Finance and Economic Planning.

According to him, the committee will also review the Zimbabwean farmers’ project in Panda, Karu Local Government.

Abdullahi said that the committee would as well review the concession agreement in respect of all state-owned hotels.

He listed the affected hotels to include the New Keffi Hotel, NIPDC Conference Hotel, Lafia, and the Keffi Club.

“The committee is also expected to investigate the role of key government officials in the agreements and ascertain where the state was short-changed.

“More particularly, the committee must fish out government officials who aided, colluded and abetted the defrauding of Nasarawa State and recommend appropriate sanctions.

“It should also recommend ways to prosecute those involved and recover government funds from such actors,’’ the statement said.