The Borno State Government has dismissed reports suggesting that ₦4 billion was spent on rail construction projects in Maiduguri Metropolitan Council and Jere Local Government Area, describing the claim as inaccurate and attributing it to an administrative error in official budget records.
In a statement issued by the Commissioner for Information and Internal Security, Prof. Usman Tar, the government clarified that no rail project was awarded, funded or executed anywhere in the state during the 2025 fiscal year.
The clarification followed public concerns over entries contained in the state’s 2025 Budget Implementation Report, which indicated that a rail project had been completed and fully funded despite the absence of any visible rail infrastructure in the affected areas.
According to the statement, an internal review conducted by the Ministries of Budget and Transport and Energy, along with other relevant government agencies, confirmed that no rail project underwent the state’s approved procurement and budgetary processes.
The government stated that no Executive Council approval was sought or obtained for any rail-related project, no budgetary clearance was granted, no contract was awarded and no funds were released for such a project during the period under review.
It emphasized that projects of such magnitude are subject to established procedures, including formal project proposals, Executive Council approval, budgetary authorization, contract awards and disbursement of funds.
The government maintained that none of these statutory processes were initiated or completed in relation to any rail construction project in 2025.
“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 said.
The state government disclosed that steps had already been taken to correct the records and strengthen internal controls to prevent a recurrence of similar administrative lapses.
Reaffirming its commitment to transparency, accountability and due process in public financial management, the government also commended citizens, civil society organisations and other stakeholders for their vigilance and interest in promoting good governance.
The administration assured residents that public funds are subject to established oversight mechanisms and pledged to continue upholding transparency in the implementation and reporting of government projects.
