From: DUTSE SULEIMAN
The debt profile of N114b inherited by the present APC led administration of Governor Muhammad Badaru Abubakar pof jigawa state has generate controversies amongst past and present government officials in the state.
Earlier in his inaugural speech Governor Mohammed Badaru Abubakar has announced that he inherited a liabilities worth N114 billion Naira as against N14billion acclaimed by past administration of former governor Lamido of the (PDP).
In his inuagural speech, Abubakar stated that available records as reflected in the hand over notes delivered to him by the Acting governor, Alh. Lawal Abdu indicated that the past PDP regime has awarded contracts worth N158b out of which government paid only N66.8b, leaving a balanced of N91.7b.
Reacting sharply to the much cried controversies, the former Acting governor, Alh. Lawal Abdu defended their submission on two fundamental issues. These are liabilities, and commitments which covers both in the articulated hand over documents.
Abdu who is also the former jigawa SSG wondered why the debt profile was misinformed by people in some quarters just to indict the personalities of the past administration of former governor Sule Lamido.
According to Audu our submission was clear and straight forward, since it was designed by professionals giving a total breakdown comprised of N13.7b for Dutse International Airport Project, and N91.7b contractual liabilities.
Others include contractual liabilities on various roads construction that were on various stages of completion valued at N91.6b.
According to him, the on-going projects were classified into four categories based on their level of completion, and these are projects yet to commence which stood at N10.6b, while projects between one per cent up to thirty per cent stages of completion valued at N52.2b.
Others include projects between 31-50 per cent stages of completion which stood at N3.9b, while projects that reaches fifty stages of completion were valued at N24.9b.
The hand over notes as stated by the former Acting governor was summarized into seven chapters comprised of Basic Information regarding the state from inception to date, development policies, and programs of jigawa state government.
Other chapters dwelt on public expenditure and financial management, information on the general activities of the state fifteen Ministries, Agencies, and Parastatals, among others.
But to Governor Badaru Abubakar the variaton and wide margin of the debt profile was inform on variations of figures discovered while comparing notes amongst actual expenditure and awards of contract variation based on 2015 budget proposal, among other extra budget spending on extra costs.
“Our pronouncement is clear and straight forward based on what we were given and actuality on ground”, as said Governor Badaru.
The Acting governor, Alh. Lawal Abdu had earlier described the handing over notes to Governor Badaru Abubakar as yet a landmark advancement of the yearnings and aspirations of the jigawa populace which he hope the Governor-elect will study carefully as a guiding principle for continuity.
Responding, Governor Mohammed Badaru Abubakar assured the people of jigawa state a purposeful and dynamic leadership.
“I will like to assure the good people of jigawa state that the APC government will run an open door policy, and will accomodate all and sundry”
On key areas to accord priority include Education, Water and Sanitation, Commerce, and Human development.
