Former Zamfara State governorship candidate and ex-National Secretary of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Dr. Sani Abdullahi Shinkafi, has criticized Governor Dauda Lawal for awarding a contract to construct a cargo airport in the state. He claims the project, originally initiated by former Governor Bello Matawalle four years ago, was misleadingly presented as a new development to the Minister of Aviation, Festus Keyamo.
Shinkafi argues that the new contract, valued at N62.8 billion, is excessively high compared to the initial N11.5 billion contract awarded by Matawalle. He further questioned the timing of such an expensive project, given the state’s pressing issues with banditry and the need for essential services.
In a statement issued on behalf of the Patriot for Advancement of Peace and Social Development, Shinkafi outlined the project's history. He noted that former Governor Mahmud Aliyu Shinkafi initiated the airport project in 2008, and while his successor Abdul’aziz Abubakar Yari did little to advance it, Matawalle revived it as a legacy project for the state. Under Matawalle, the contract was awarded to AVIC International Engineering Limited, which received significant payments and made progress on construction before Matawalle left office.
Shinkafi criticized Governor Lawal for revoking the contract with AVIC and re-awarding it at a significantly higher cost, calling it a wasteful use of taxpayers' money. He suggested that Lawal’s actions were more about political showmanship than effective governance and urged the governor to focus on pressing needs like security and social amenities instead of luxury projects.
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