When torrential rains wash away roads in Safana and Batsari local governments in Katsina State, residents don’t just lose access to transportation—they lose faith. In 2019 and 2022, the Federal Government allocated a combined N119 million for emergency road repairs and reinstatement of washouts in these areas. Yet today, the terrain remains impassable, with bridges unbuilt and erosion unchecked.
In January 2019, the Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA) released N12.2 million for the emergency repair of a washed-out Sakijiki Bridge in Batsari. Later that year, in October, the Federal Ministry of Power paid N67.8 million to Misterich Limited to address critically failed sections and washouts along the Katsina–Batsari–Safana–Karfi–Funtua Road. Then, in February 2022, another N39.3 million was paid to Allied Victory Nigeria Ltd for similar emergency palliative work and river training along the Batsari–Safana route.
When WikkiTimes, in collaboration with popular skit maker Dan Bello, discovered that no such work had ever been done. The roads remain as treacherous as ever. “They say millions were spent here? We haven’t seen a single shovel hit the ground,” said Yunusa Abdullahi, a resident of Safana.
This was just one slice of a far bigger scandal. Between 2019 and 2024, the Federal Government of Nigeria disbursed a staggering N459 million for various constituency projects in the Safana/Batsari/Danmusa Federal Constituency. Projects ranged from solar streetlights and road repairs to agricultural inputs, empowerment programs, and school rehabilitation.
However, for several weeks, WikkiTimes reviewed a series of procurement documents and interviewed community residents; our finding reveals that these projects exist only in records.
Solar Streetlights in Name Only
On January 30, 2022, two firms—Gorrion Engineering Limited and Diamond Leeds Limited—received N147.5 million and N142.5 million, respectively, from the National Rural Electrification Agency for the supply and installation of solar-powered streetlights. The project was supposed to cover Safana, Batsari, and Danmusa LGAs.
WikkiTimes reporting found that only about 30 poles per LGA were installed, many of which were non-functional at the time we visited. Residents alleged that the limited work done was skewed in favour of loyalists of the political party.
“Danmusa is still in darkness,” said Aminu Lawal, a resident. “The few poles that were installed are substandard and were placed in areas where the politician’s supporters live.”
In Safana, residents acknowledge that a former representative, Hon. Ahmed Dayyabu, had earlier installed around 50 poles between 2015 and 2023. But the current representative, Hon. Iliyasu Abubakar, added only about 20 more since assuming office.
Fertilizer for Political Friends
Agricultural support formed a significant portion of the constituency projects. In 2019, Puranova Nigeria Limited received N21.3 million for fertiliser distribution in Batsari. In 2024, more funds were allocated for similar interventions under the Nigerian Institute of Oceanography and Marine Research and the National Horticultural Research Institute, Ibadan.
Yet, farmers across the three LGAs said they either received nothing or were excluded from the process. In Safana, Yunusa Abdullahi, a farmer, reported that only 80 bags of fertilizer were distributed, and even those went to party loyalists.
“We work the land, but the politicians feed their friends,” he said.
Aminu Lawal from Danmusa corroborated the claim: “It was the same story here. The few bags that arrived were taken straight to the homes of APC leaders.”
Empowerment or Deception?
Empowerment programs were another prominent feature of the constituency project records. In 2019, Prime Initiatives Consulting Limited received N22.8 million for the supply of motorcycles across four LGAs, including Safana, Danmusa, and Batsari.
Despite publicised distributions on social media, WikkiTimes found that only 13 motorcycles reached the communities—five in Safana, four in Batsari, and four in Danmusa.
“We saw pictures on Facebook, but the items never came here,” a Safana resident said. “It was a media show.”
Roads Still in Ruin
Two companies—Misterich Limited and Allied Victory Nigeria Limited—received N67.8 million and N39.3 million, respectively, for emergency repairs on the Katsina-Batsari-Safana-Karfi-Funtua Road. Yet, those who travel the road daily say it remains a death trap.
In Safana, a culvert allegedly fixed in the Yantumaki area is nonexistent. Residents insist that no such structure was ever built.
“We heard about a repaired culvert, but there’s nothing there,” said Yunusa. “The road is as bad as ever.”
Similarly, in Batsari, FERMA reportedly allocated N12.2 million for emergency repairs of the Sakijiki Bridge in 2019. But locals insist that not even a stone was moved.
Other budgeted projects included the supply of computers to secondary schools, the installation of transformers, and the electrification of rural farm roads. None of these, locals say, materialised. The computers were never delivered, and only one transformer was installed across the three LGAs—in Bakin Kasuwa, Yantumaki.
“They said transformers would be provided. We saw just one, and even that doesn’t work,” said a resident in Batsari. May other residents corroborate this.
Similarly, a project listed under the Federal College of Agriculture Ishiagu to empower farmers with implements never took place.
WikkiTimes traced the corporate records of the companies involved. Gorrion Engineering Ltd and Diamond Leeds Ltd, which were awarded contracts on the same day, share the same directors.
Puranova Nig Ltd and Misterich Ltd are Abuja-based firms, while Thunder ICT Skills Ltd is based in Kaduna, all with no known operations or facilities in Katsina.
These companies received millions in public funds, yet left nothing but resentment and false hope.
WikkiTimes reached out to Hon. Iliyasu Abubakar, the lawmaker, to hear his side of the story, but he declined to engage. An official letter sent via his WhatsApp line was ignored, and multiple phone calls to his mobile number went unanswered.
In Nigeria, lawmakers often secure constituency projects by exploiting their influence during budget sessions, inserting these projects under the pretence of community development. While government ministries or agencies officially handle these projects, legislators frequently handpick contractors, many of whom are shell companies or entities with political or personal affiliations.
With minimal oversight, funds are released for projects that are either substandard or never executed at all. This creates a convenient channel for siphoning public resources, allowing lawmakers to benefit financially while evading direct accountability.