N30m Mosque Construction Project Is For Farmers Displaced By Boko Haram-Agric Ministry

The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development has defended it’s decision to construct a N30m mosque stating that the project was to ensure the safety of herders who were displaced by Boko haram.

The ministry, in a statement issued by the Director Information, for the Ministry , Theodore Ogaziechi, on Thursday said that the construction of the mosque was a special request from the community through the Borno State Government to avoid moving too far from the settlement areas for prayers .

It stated, “To put the facts straight, the memo is authentic and appropriate in all ramifications.

“It is original and was issued by the Ministry for the construction of a worship centre for a community of livestock farmers who were sacked and displaced in Borno State by Boko Haram insurgents and are being resettled in Ngarannam/Mafa local government, Borno State.

“The construction of the mosque was a Special Request from the community through the Borno State Government to avoid moving too far from the settlement areas for prayers and also to ensure their safety and contact with the insurgents.”

The statement explained that apart from the mosque, other common facilities provided for the livestock farmers in the community include Solar Powered Boreholes with Overhead Tanks and Drinking Troughs for their cattle and small ruminants.

Others are, Water Harvesting Structures, Milk Collection Center, Resettlement Abode, as well as other infrastructure to properly settle and rehabilitate the displaced livestock farmers.

It further stated that the Ministry is in no way perturbed about the matter because it received appropriate approval, carried out due needs assessment and ensured due process in the execution of the project.

In a memo dated December 10, 2020, with reference number FMA/PROC/AHS/SIP/2020/7742/1, the contract was approved by the Ministerial Tenders Board.

The contract which was signed by the Deputy Director, Procurement, Musa Musa was addressed to the Managing Director, El-Shukhur Multi-Buz Nig. Ltd.

The document titled, ‘Award of Contract for the Construction of Friday Mosque’ reads, “I am directed to inform you that the ministerial tenders board at its 7th meeting held on December 7, 2020, approved the award of contract for the construction of Friday mosque to your company at the total sum of N30m only, inclusive of VAT, with a completion period of eight weeks with effect from the date of this letter.

“You are therefore required to indicate in writing within three days of receipt of this offer, your acceptance to the office of the director, procurement, FMARD, Abuja or otherwise, the offer will be considered lapsed.”