Opposition demands probe over alleged N4bn rail project error in Borno

Opposition parties and residents in Borno State have called for an independent investigation into the inclusion of a non-existent ₦4 billion railway project in the state’s 2025 budget implementation report.

The demand follows the Borno State Government’s admission on Monday that the project, which was listed as 100 per cent completed, was included in the report due to an administrative error.

Speaking on the matter, the Commissioner for Information and Internal Security, Usman Tar, said an internal review confirmed that no railway project was awarded, funded, or executed by the state government in Maiduguri Metropolitan Council and Jere Local Government Area during the 2025 fiscal year.

“The inclusion of the 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,” Tar stated.

Reacting on Tuesday, the Publicity Secretary of the Nigeria Democratic Congress in Borno State, Aliyu Balarabe, urged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to investigate the matter.

“We see it as a lack of accountability and transparency in governance. There is no way something as serious as a state budget will have such errors. We are not talking about millions but billions of naira. If it is an error, where are the funds?” he queried.

Also speaking, the spokesperson of the Africa Democratic Congress in the state, Baba Mustapha, described the development as unfortunate and insisted that the matter should not be swept under the carpet.

“There should be an investigation. This money is public money and the issue should not be allowed to die down,” Baba said.

Residents equally expressed doubts over the government’s explanation, questioning how a ₦4 billion project could be mistakenly included in an official budget report.

A resident, Hassan Aminu, called for a re-evaluation of the state’s total expenditure, arguing that the reported spending figures may have been affected by the alleged error.

The controversy has again sparked fresh concerns over transparency and accountability in the management of public funds by those trusted with it.