ARGUNGU, KEBBI STATE — A multi-billion naira drainage and road project in Kebbi State has reportedly collapsed just months after completion, sparking public outrage and allegations of substandard execution, corruption, and official cover-up.
The ₦7.23 billion project, executed by Amirco Engineering Company, was designed to mitigate flooding in Argungu through the construction of a 6.4-kilometre dual carriageway with drainage systems, interlocking pavements, solar-powered streetlights, and roundabouts. However, recent heavy rains have exposed severe structural failures, including cracked sections and collapsed culverts along the drainage network.
Civic watchdog group MonITNG raised the alarm in a strongly worded statement on Thursday, accusing the contractor of using hollow blocks in place of reinforced concrete, a move they say constitutes a dangerous engineering shortcut.
“Hollow blocks were used where reinforced concrete should have been,” the group stated. “This is a dangerous shortcut that endangers lives and undermines public trust. It’s a gross misuse of public funds.”
MonITNG is now calling on Nigeria’s major anti-corruption bodies — the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) — to launch a full investigation into what it termed a “clear case of fraud and negligence.”
In response, the Kebbi State Government dismissed the allegations as “misleading and politically motivated.” In a statement issued by Ahmed Idris, Chief Press Secretary to Governor Nasir Idris, the government insisted that the project adhered strictly to all approved technical specifications and accused MonITNG of failing to conduct proper verification.
“These allegations are baseless and intended to malign the current administration. The project was executed according to standard procedures and passed all required checks,” the statement read.
According to official documents, over ₦6.8 billion was allocated specifically to the civil engineering components, with additional costs covering water relocation and compensation for affected structures.
Despite the government’s defense, the visible structural failures have deepened public suspicion and reignited concerns over accountability in public infrastructure projects in Nigeria. Residents and civil society organizations are demanding transparency, insisting that billions spent on life-saving infrastructure must not go to waste.
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