An exchange of correspondences between Governor Mukhtar Ramalan Yero of Kaduna State and the speaker of the Kaduna State House of Assembly has revealed how the governor secretly took a loan of $81.2 from the Islamic Development Bank ostensibly for the age-old Zaria Water Project.
The loan virtually vanished, most likely diverted by Governor Yero into his own pocket.
Two public transparency advocates in Kaduna told journalist that the Zaria Water Project has been a notorious white elephant project used by a succession of administrations in the state to siphon away public funds. “Alhaji Yero is only the latest to engage in massive corruption and embezzlement of funds using the Zaria Water Project. But we should confront him and say, ‘Enough is enough," one of the activists said.
In a document obtained by SaharaReporters through a source at the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the picture emerges that the Kaduna House of Assembly, on May 23, 2013, hurriedly approved Governor’s Yero’s request for permission to obtain the controversial loan. “There was little or no verification of the request, much less a thorough one,” one of the transparency advocates stated.
He added that some concerned citizens of Kaduna State had petitioned the EFCC, raising questions about the loan and the circumstances under which it was obtained and the questionable manner of its use. “We know that Governor Yero has made several withdrawals of billions of naira without any justification,” he said.
A source at the EFCC declined to make available the names of those behind the petition. “For security reasons, I will not make available the identity of the petitioners, but can I can only make available the documents that will show in detail the corrupt practices going on.”
The petitioners, the source added, accused the governor of collecting the loan and diverting it into private businesses through a variety of fronts. “The petitions are arguing that the whole loan thing is a fraud. They argue that the project has been on for about 15 years and it is supposed to be finished this year, since the last government had paid all the monies.”
The documents obtained indicate that Governor Yero wrote to the speaker on April 26, 2013 and got the approval on May 23, 2013.
(Sahara Reporters) Click to signup for FREE news updates, latest information and hottest gists everyday
Advertise on NigerianEye.com to reach thousands of our daily users
na wao,an individual.
ReplyDeleteNothing will happen. This is Nigeria we are talking about
ReplyDeleteLooters!!!!!!!!!!!!!, instead of boko haram to chase these beasts, they keep maiming harmless citizens...I pray they open their eyes to see their (boko haram) real enemy and stop attacking Nigeria...
ReplyDeleteJay!
Is a shame on the govonor how month have him spent as a govonor, he should be remove, he is disgrace to his family and islamic family
ReplyDeleteYero, you don start oyur own abi? E neva reach one year wey Yakowa die, you don dey finsh Kaduna money in the name of water. Sango go fire you o
ReplyDeleteInna lillahi waina illehi raju'un. I pray for this not to be true if not we are in trouble.
ReplyDeleteGov Yero is just one of the many many corrupt leaders in this country. The SURE-P program to help unemployed youths has been hijacked by CRIMINALS in govt. After they had received applications from genuine applicants, these CRIMINALS will then replace them with "GHOST NAMES" collect the token allowances meant for these "GHOST NAMES" from MINISTRY OF FINANCE and DEPOSITE the millions of naira into their ACCOUNTS.
ReplyDeleteCORRUPTION FLOWS in our BLOOD, so U guys shld leave Gov YARO/YERO alone, he is only acting on INSTINCT. CORRUPT INSTINCT!
It is our leader dat are corrupted dat make d follower 2 b corrupt. The governor shld b impeached
ReplyDelete@el matosky , how can you generalise this issue of corruption by saying corruption flows in our blood. Just speak for yourself as any body has his/her upbringing because some of our leaders are thieves that does not make us all corrupt. Nigerian equally has right to know if someone is either mismanaging or stealing public funds, as keeping mute is like licensing them to continue doing the wrong .
ReplyDeleteThese allegations are extremely sensational. There's too much falsehood in Nigeria and even educated people believe craps like these. How can $81m LOAN disappear? Even Fred Ajudua cannot pull that one off. Comon Folks, there is no denying the fact that there is high level corruption in government, but disappearance of $81m is a fairytale.
ReplyDeleteU̶̲̥̅̊ left his oga U̶̲̥̅̊ ar attacking d innocent man.U̶̲̥̅̊ can't understand...d brain behind this... God save Nigeria if its true.
ReplyDeleteNamu Namu, that is why Nigeria is still behind in terms of development. Let one of our own occupy the sit
ReplyDelete