Upper Benue River Basin Mgmt mum as corruption allegations trail MD
The management of the Upper Benue River Basin Development Authority (UBRBDA) has remained silent amid mounting allegations of corrupt practices and alleged violations of due process in the award of contracts within the agency, with accusations specifically directed at the Managing Director, Mahmud Sanusi Mohammed.
The controversy was brought to the fore by a senior official of the Authority, Dahiru Hammandikko, the Executive Director of Agricultural Services, who openly raised concerns over what he described as irregularities in the agency’s procurement process.
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Hammandikko has alleged that established procedures guiding procurement activities were breached, particularly in relation to the convening of the Procurement Tenders Board (PTB).
Speaking in Yola, Hammandikko disclosed that he, alongside two other key executive directors, were excluded from an important PTB meeting, despite their statutory roles in overseeing and approving projects under the Authority.
He said neither invitations nor official documents were sent to him or the affected directors prior to the meeting.
According to Hammandikko, the meeting in question was reportedly held in the office of the Managing Director and attended by only two officials: the Executive Director of Engineering, Othman Bakari Babandubu, and the Acting Head of the Procurement Unit, Engr. Ernest I. Udoh.
He maintained that such a composition fell short of the requirements stipulated for procurement decision-making in a federal government agency.
The Executive Director further stated that no correspondence or notification was issued to the Executive Director of Finance and Administration or the Executive Director of Planning and Designs, officers whose presence, he argued, is critical to ensuring transparency, accountability, and compliance with financial and technical regulations.
Describing the development as improper, Hammandikko warned that conducting procurement activities without the full participation of relevant directors undermines due process and exposes the institution to reputational and legal risks.
He stressed that adherence to laid-down guidelines is essential to safeguarding public resources and maintaining confidence in the Authority’s operations.
Hammandikko also confirmed the existence of a petition submitted to the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) over the alleged irregularities.
According to him, the petition was officially received by the Authority and subsequently ordered to be displayed on the notice board for public awareness.
He, however, clarified that the petition was not authored by any staff member of the UBRBDA, but by a private individual, Engineer Ahmed Damare. Despite this, Hammandikko noted that the issues raised in the petition have further intensified concerns about transparency and accountability within the Authority.
The allegations have sparked renewed debate over procurement practices in the UBRBDA, with stakeholders calling for strict compliance with public service rules and anti-corruption laws.
Observers argue that procurement processes in public institutions must be open, inclusive, and properly documented to prevent abuse and ensure value for money.
Hammandikko emphasized that ignoring established procedures not only weakens institutional integrity but also erodes public trust in government agencies mandated to manage critical resources. He called for corrective measures to restore confidence and ensure that future procurement activities are conducted in line with existing regulations.
As of the time of filing this report, the management of the Upper Benue River Basin Development Authority had not issued any official response to the allegations. Efforts to reach the Authority’s Public Relations Officer, Ahmad Isa Mbamba, were unsuccessful, as repeated phone calls went unanswered.
Several visits by our reporter to the headquarters of the organization in Yola could not yield results as the M.D reportedly travelled to Abuja while the spokesman was not on seat to give clarifications.
