Why We Built N30m Mosque In Borno — Agric Ministry

The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development has confirmed
that it actually awarded a contract worth N30 million for the
construction of a mosque in Borno State.

The ministry said the construction of the mosque came due to a
request from a resettled community who were sacked from their
original community by Boko Haram.

In a statement signed by the Director Information in the
Ministry, Theodore Ogaziechi, the ministry disclosed that it would
also provide solar-powered boreholes and overhead tanks, among
other amenities for the community.

“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 be- ing resettled in
Ngarannam/ Mafa Local Government, Borno State.

“Apart from the mosque, other facilities being provided include
livestock for farmers in the community, solar-powered boreholes
with overhead tanks and drinking troughs for cattle and small
ruminants, water harvesting structures, milk collection centre,
resettlement abode, as well as other infrastructure to properly
settle and rehabilitate the displaced livestock farmers.

“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 memo is an official document and it is available for public
scrutiny and review. It is therefore unfortunate for anyone to
presume that the memo leaked.

“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.

“It is advised that in future, due diligence and restraint
should be observed by our media friends before publication of this
nature, meant for public good and security, are issued to avoid
raising false alarm and creating unnecessary rancor in the public
space which may lead to overheating of the polity. When the
contract letter was circulated in the social media, there was a
nationwide outrage as to why the Ministry of Agriculture would
award contract for the construction of a mosque.”

In a letter from the Procurement Department of the Ministry
dated 10th December 2020, the Ministry had awarded a N30 million
contract to one El-Shukhur Multi-Biz Nig Ltd located at Number 15
Jahun Quarters, Bauchi State, a contract to construct Friday Mosque
in an unspecified location.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development has confirmed
that it actually awarded a contract worth N30 million for the
construction of a mosque in Borno State.

The ministry said the construction of the mosque came due to a
request from a resettled community who were sacked from their
original community by Boko Haram.

In a statement signed by the Director Information in the
Ministry, Theodore Ogaziechi, the ministry disclosed that it would
also provide solar-powered boreholes and overhead tanks, among
other amenities for the community.

“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 be- ing resettled in
Ngarannam/ Mafa Local Government, Borno State.

“Apart from the mosque, other facilities being provided include
livestock for farmers in the community, solar-powered boreholes
with overhead tanks and drinking troughs for cattle and small
ruminants, water harvesting structures, milk collection centre,
resettlement abode, as well as other infrastructure to properly
settle and rehabilitate the displaced livestock farmers.

“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 memo is an official document and it is available for public
scrutiny and review. It is therefore unfortunate for anyone to
presume that the memo leaked.

“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.

“It is advised that in future, due diligence and restraint
should be observed by our media friends before publication of this
nature, meant for public good and security, are issued to avoid
raising false alarm and creating unnecessary rancor in the public
space which may lead to overheating of the polity. When the
contract letter was circulated in the social media, there was a
nationwide outrage as to why the Ministry of Agriculture would
award contract for the construction of a mosque.”

In a letter from the Procurement Department of the Ministry
dated 10th December 2020, the Ministry had awarded a N30 million
contract to one El-Shukhur Multi-Biz Nig Ltd located at Number 15
Jahun Quarters, Bauchi State, a contract to construct Friday Mosque
in an unspecified location.