The Department of State Service, DSS, has debunked claims that it’s Counter-Terrorism Centre in Bauchi State was not under construction, in spite of budget provisions for it.
On February, 19, a private budget implementation monitor, TrackaNG–BudgIT Tracka had through its social media platforms claimed that the SSS Counter-Terrorism Training Centre, Gubi Dam, valued at N1.1billion was not executed.
But the DSS, in a statement on Tuesday by its spokesperson, Dr Peter Afunanya, denied the claim, expressing dismay at “the shoddy way Tracka embarked on its project verification exercise as well as the manner it drew conclusions without the slightest efforts to be diligent”.
The statement said: “DSS’ findings have shown that the Tracka Field Officer did not visit the project site where about 17 structures are simultaneously being executed by different contractors.
“It is instructive to note that the projects are at different levels of completion. It may also be noted that the primary school in question was a dilapidated Nomadic Education Centre located at Galga, near Gubi Dam, Firo where the CTC is located.
“The Service, in conjunction with its Land School (site of the CTC), found the primary school in a bad state and decided to renovate it as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility, typical of the Service wherever it has such public facility and cohabits with the community.
“As evidenced by attached pictures, the said school was rehabilitated and handed over to the appreciative Galga community whose children now use better facilities including desks at the school.
“Surprisingly, Tracka only stopped its verification of the budget implementation at the primary school from where it drew hasty conclusions of non-implementation. What a lazy way of discharging a mandate.
“Though not opposed to pursuit of accountability and transparency by NGOs, the Service is averse to resorting to fake news and outright misinformation as a way of enlightening the public.
“To seek redress, the Service has brought the misinformation carried out by Tracka to its Management and in that regard sought a refutal and unreserved apology.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the CTC projects as captured in the 2019, 2020 and 2021 budgets are ongoing (See attached pictures of the site).
“The DSS and its Director-General, Alhaji Yusuf Magaji BICHI are committed to transparency, accountability and service. It is simply for his integrity that Mr. BICHI was called out from retirement to head the foremost intelligence organization.
“He is not given to corrupt tendencies. So far, he has shown exemplary, purposeful and transformational leadership at the DSS.”