Ghost Projects and Vanished Funds: ₦459 Million Meant for Katsina Constituency Projects Missing

Despite the disbursement of over ₦459 million between 2019 and 2024 for constituency projects in Katsina State’s Safana/Batsari/Danmusa Federal Constituency, investigations by WikkiTimes reveal that many of the projects exist only on paper leaving communities in darkness, poverty, and disrepair.

In a series of payments starting from January 2019, federal agencies released funds for critical infrastructure such as roads, bridges, streetlights, and agricultural support:

₦12.2 million by FERMA for Sakijiki Bridge repairs in Batsari (2019)

₦67.8 million to Misterich Limited for the Katsina–Batsari–Safana–Funtua road (2019)

₦39.3 million to Allied Victory Nigeria Ltd for Batsari–Safana road repairs (2022)

In 2022, Gorrion Engineering Ltd and Diamond Leeds Ltd were paid a combined ₦290 million to install solar-powered streetlights across the three LGAs. Locals report only a handful of non-functional poles, mostly concentrated in areas loyal to the ruling party.

Prime Initiatives Consulting was paid ₦22.8 million to distribute motorcycles in 2019. Despite publicised handovers online, only 13 motorcycles reportedly reached the three LGAs in total.

Out of several planned rural electrification projects, only one transformer was installed across all three LGAs and even that remains non-functional in Bakin Kasuwa, Yantumaki.

Lawmakers often insert constituency projects into the federal budget under the guise of grassroots development. While government agencies are officially responsible, legislators handpick contractors, many of whom are fronts for corruption. With minimal oversight, public funds vanish into thin air.