Why We Approved N30m For Mosque Construction In Borno – Agric Ministry

The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development has approved the sum of N30 million for the construction of a Friday mosque in Borno State.

Naija News reports that the project approval was conveyed in a letter dated December 10, 2020, with reference number FMA/PROC/AHS/SIP/2020/7742/1.

The approval letter, signed by the Deputy Director of Procurement in ministry, Musa Musa, was addressed to the Managing Director of the contractor, El-Shukhur Multi-Buz Nig. Ltd.

According to the letter, the ministerial tenders board approved the contract at its 7th meeting which held on December 7.

The letter added that the project should be completed within eight months.

It reads: “I am directed to inform you that the ministerial tenders board at its 7th meeting held on December 7, 2020, approved the award of contract for the construction of Friday mosque to your company at the total sum of N30m only, inclusive of VAT, with a completion period of eight weeks with effect from the date of this letter.

“You are therefore required to indicate in writing within three days of receipt of this offer, your acceptance to the office of the director, procurement, FMARD, Abuja, or otherwise, the offer will be considered lapsed.”

However, in a statement on Thursday signed by its Director of Information, Theodore Ogaziechi, the ministry has revealed that it approved the money for the construction of the mosque.

Ogaziechi said the ministry awarded the contract for the construction of a mosque for the benefit of livestock farmers displaced by Boko Haram insurgents in Borno state.

He noted that the livestock farmers were sacked from their settlements by Boko Haram.

Ogaziechi said the project was implemented following a special request from the affected community through the Borno state government.

He noted that apart from the mosque, other facilities such as solar-powered boreholes with overhead tanks, drinking troughs for cattle, and small ruminants were also provided for the livestock farmers in the Borno community.

Ogaziechi  added that others include water harvesting structures, milk collection centre, resettlement abode, as well as other infrastructure

The statement reads: “To put the facts straight, the memo is authentic and appropriate in all ramifications.

“It is original and was issued by the ministry for the construction of a worship centre for a community of livestock farmers who were sacked and displaced in Borno State by Boko Haram insurgents and are being resettled in Ngarannam/Mafa Local Government, Borno State.

“The construction of the mosque was a special request from the community through the Borno State Government to avoid moving too far from the settlement areas for prayers and also to ensure their safety and contact with the insurgents.

“The memo is an official document and it is available for public scrutiny and review. It is therefore unfortunate for anyone to presume that the memo leaked.

“The ministry is in no way perturbed about the matter because it received appropriate approval, carried out due needs assessment, and ensured due process in the execution of the project.”