₦7.23Billion Kebbi Drainage Project Collapses Months After Construction: Civic Watchdog Alleges Use Of Substandard Materials

Kebbi State’s ₦7.23 billion drainage project, awarded to Amirco Engineering Company, has reportedly suffered extensive damage just months after completion, following recent heavy rainfall.

The collapse has sparked outrage and concerns about corruption and substandard practices in public infrastructure projects.

A civil society organisation, MonITNG, in a statement on Thursday, revealed that several sections of the newly constructed drainage system have already shown signs of structural failure, with large cracks and collapsed culverts becoming evident.

According to MonITNG, the project's deterioration is due to the use of hollow blocks in place of reinforced concrete for the culverts—an alarming deviation from standard engineering practices.

It said, "Instead of using reinforced concrete for the culverts, which is the standard practice for durability, the contractor used hollow blocks, an alarming shortcut.

"This method of construction is highly questionable. Hollow blocks are not designed to withstand the kind of pressure that culverts must bear, especially during heavy rainfall or flooding. What we’re seeing is a textbook example of substandard work, which not only risks the early failure of the road but also puts communities at risk.

"Public infrastructure projects are meant to serve the people for years, if not decades. When contractors use inferior materials to cut corners, they not only waste taxpayer money but also endanger lives. This is especially disturbing considering the ₦7.23 billion budget. With such a sum, Kebbi State should be receiving world-class infrastructure, not a structure that starts failing within months."

It called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to investigate the handling of the project.

On March 20, 2025, SaharaReporters reported that the Kebbi State Government had rejected recent allegations made in a MonITNG report.

The report called for an investigation into the N7.23 billion Argungu township road project over claims of substandard materials used in the construction process.

A SaharaReporters' publication, which cited MonITNG’s observations, was dismissed as an effort to tarnish Governor Nasir Idris's administration's reputation.

According to the Kebbi State Government, the allegations were based on unverified claims and were not conducted with proper oversight.

The statement was signed by Ahmed Idris, the Chief Press Secretary to the Kebbi State Governor.

The road project involves dualising the 6.4-kilometre Old Bypass Road of Argungu township. It was awarded to Amirco Engineering at a cost of N7,230,373,515.68.

The government further emphasised that they were not given a fair hearing regarding the project’s specifications or construction methods, as required by standard investigative procedures.

The press release also highlighted that the alleged irregularity raised by MonITNG—concerning the construction of culverts—was based on misinterpretation. MonITNG criticised the contractor for using blocks instead of reinforced concrete for the culverts. However, the Kebbi State Government refuted these claims, noting that the project adhered to the approved engineering specifications.

According to the official breakdown, the project entails several key components, including the total scarification of the carriageway, redesigning the old single carriageway to a dual carriageway, excavation for drains and culverts, and the provision of interlocking pavements, solar streetlights, and new roundabouts at three locations, among other works.

In the detailed Bill of Engineering Measurement and Evaluation, the civil works alone accounted for N6,826,542,520.68, while additional works, such as water relocation and structural compensation, contributed to the total amount of N7,230,373,515.68.

Follow the Sahara Reporters channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaFClvtH5JM6SSsP7M2Y