Group Demands Matawalle’s Sack over Alleged Mismanagement of N11bn Gusau Cargo Airport Fund

*Its diversionary tactics by my successor, says ex-governor

Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja

A group under the auspices of the Civil Society Advocacy Groups for Accountability and Probity has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to sack the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle over alleged mismanagement of N11 billion Gusau cargo airport fund.
However, in a swift reaction to the allegation, Matawalle, argued that the accusation was a calculated mischief and diversionary tactics of Zamfara Governor, Dauda Lawal, to cover up for his inefficiency.

But the National Coordinator, of the civil society group, Danesi Momoh, while addressing a press conference in Abuja, yesterday, also called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to step in and bring Matawalle and his co-travelers to justice.

It said the inability by Matawalle to render an account of the multi-billion naira Gusau International Cargo Airport was the reason for the call for his sack.
The group stressed that Tinubu must demonstrate his fight against corruption by relieving him of his duty.
It said: “On the heels of these unsavoury developments, we call on Mr. President to demonstrate the right action in promoting the fight against corruption and theft in public office.

“People like Bello Matawelle must be shown the exit from public service and made to pay for their wrongs to serve as deterrent to others.
“Allowing him to remain in office is like rewarding corruption by an administration that has shown both the determination and political will to fight corruption.”
The group maintained that the recovery of funds embezzled from the good people of Zamfara would go a long way to develop the state after the horrendous attacks of bandits and the poverty it has caused.

It added: “For an administration that rode of the waves of integrity and the need to fight corruption, identifying with a man of questionable character like Bello Matawalle is a direct mockery of the expectations of Nigerians and as believers of President Tinubu’s vision, we cannot fold our hands and watch this ignoble development continue to fester.
“It might be recalled that many well-meaning Nigerians were vehemently opposed to Matawelle’s appointment as a Minister of the Federal Republic following his antecedents as the Governor of Zamfara State.

“It is obvious that if allowed to remain in office, Matawelle will introduce his crooked gimmicks in contract racketeering in the ministry of defence that has always been known for its impeccable handling of procurement because of the sensitivity of its mandate.
“For a man who once said the cost of the Cargo Airport in Gusau was N28 billion and then quickly reduced it to N11 billion in round figures, there is no way Nigerians will not be convinced that Matawlle was both the contractor and the awarding institution.”

However, Matawalle, in a statement by his Commissioner of information while he held sway in Zamfara state, Ibrahim Dosara, maintained that the accusation remained a calculated mischief and diversionary tactics by Governor Lawal to cover up for his inefficiency.
He explained that he inherited the cargo Airport project contract from its predecessor, adding that his resolve to go ahead with the project was in the best interest of the people of the state.
Matawalle added: “As government is a continuous process, former Governor Matawalle saw the need to consider completing the project for its numerous benefits to the people of the state and beyond.

“I want to bring to the attention of the general public that it is only Zamfara State that has no Airport of its own, up to the time of this press statement.
“After due deliberations in council, it was agreed that the project be continued. As a follow up to the State Executive Council’s resolution and decision on the project, contractors were invited to bid for the contract to execute the Cargo Airport Project.
“After reaching agreement and in consultation with the Federal Airport Authority that Matawalle government immediately mobiliSed the contractors to site to handle the project to its timely completion.”

The minister explained further: “In the first instance, a bill of N28 billion was submitted to the government for consideration. However, due to the foresight and prudence of the former Governor Matawalle, his government rejected the bill which the former Governor considered outrageous and crazy.
“The former Governor therefore insisted that the amount be down reviewed to considerable sum, which was down sized to N11 billion.
“For those who are unaware of the funding process of this project, let me bring it to your knowledge that the project was being funded through a banking arrangement known as “contract financing.”
Matawalle, said this meant an agreement between Zamfara State government and some private companies involving funding banks who released money only on the satisfaction that the certificates raised by government is commensurate to the works done on site.
He added: “I wonder how monies meant for the project under this banking arrangement could have been embezzled by the former Governor.
“For the record, the following compartments of the contract were carried out and have reached various stages of completion as follows:  Access Roads -Airport access dual road, Gate and Drainages have all been completed with environment assessment by the Federal Ministry of Aviation carried out and completed.”