The Social Democratic Party (SDP) in Niger State has accused Governor Umaru Mohammed Bago of abandoning more than 250 Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) buses that were purchased with public funds. In a statement issued on Monday in Minna, the party alleged that the vehicles have been left to deteriorate for over three years since their acquisition.
Hon. Jonathan Vatsa, the spokesperson for the party’s governorship campaign council, stated that the buses were originally procured to alleviate the transportation burden on citizens following the removal of the fuel subsidy. However, Vatsa claimed that the vehicles, which were acquired through a loan, have been stranded at the trade fair complex where their critical parts and components have been vandalized.
“These buses, which were acquired through a loan, were meant to cushion the effect of the fuel subsidy removal on the citizens, but unfortunately this is the fate that has befallen the buses,” Vatsa said.
The former Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism in the state described the governor as having a “penchant for abandoned projects.” Vatsa asserted that no single project has been commissioned during the current administration’s three and a half years in office, despite what he described as unprecedented resources from the federation account. He further alleged that the abandoned buses have become shelters for reptiles and criminals due to a lack of respect for public funds.
Vatsa contrasted the state of government infrastructure with private sector activities, claiming that private projects and farms continue to operate with adequate funding and 24-hour work schedules, while government initiatives have stalled due to a lack of funds.
Looking ahead to the 2027 elections, Vatsa urged the people of Niger State to choose a path of progress rather than remaining stagnant with unpayable loans and unfinished infrastructure. He maintained that the state should not witness another four years of such governance.
<small>Source: The Sun Nigeria — read the original story there.</small>
