The Zamfara State Government has awarded the reconstruction of the 108-kilometer Gusau-Magami-Dansadau road to Dantata and Sawoe Construction Company Limited at the cost of ₦81.2 billion.
That means Zamfara govt is paying ₦751.85 million for every 1 kilometer of road.
But according to the Nigerian road construction regulatory benchmark, the price is more than double what a road of that category should cost.
The official estimate for road construction in Nigeria puts the cost as follows:
- Standard Asphalt Roads (Single Carriageway): ₦350 million – ₦600 million per kilometer
- Dual Carriageway Asphalt Roads: ₦600 million – ₦1.2 billion per kilometer
- Rural Laterite Roads: ₦250 million – ₦400 million per kilometer
The Gusau-Magami-Dansadau road falls under the category of a Rural Laterite Road.
Using the highest regulatory benchmark of ₦400 million per km, the entire 108km project should cost ₦43.2 billion maximum.
Using the lowest benchmark of ₦250 million per km, it should cost ₦27 billion.
Instead, the Zamfara State Government signed the contract at ₦81.2 billion.
Breakdown: ₦81,200,000,000 ÷ 108km = ₦751,851,851 per kilometer
That is:
1. Almost 2x the highest standard for a rural laterite road
2. ₦351.85 million more per km than the regulatory upper limit
3. ₦38 billion more than what 108km should cost at ₦400m/km
In simple terms, Zamfara is paying the price of a dual carriageway asphalt road, for a rural laterite road.
The questions here is:
At a time when Zamfara is grappling with insecurity, hunger, poverty and decaying schools and hospitals, this award has triggered outrage.
1. Why is a rural road costing more than a dual carriageway?
2. What is the justification for the extra ₦38 billion above the standard rate?
3. Were due process and value-for-money assessments followed?
This is a clear case of resources being looted in the name of road construction.
We really need this road. But not at the cost of mortgaging our future. ₦751m per km for laterite? That is robbery."
Roads are critical for connecting communities and fighting insecurity in Zamfara. But development cannot happen when public funds are inflated and mismanaged.
With the regulatory benchmark already public, the burden is now on the Zamfara State Government and Dantata & Sawoe to explain to citizens why Zamfara people must pay double for less.
Zamfara people deserve that truth. And they deserve accountability.
Khalifa Ja'afar writes from Gusau
