Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani, has said his administration inherited a huge debt burden of $587 million, N85 billion, and 115 contractual liabilities from former governor of the state, Nasir El-Rufai.
Governor Sani, who disclosed this in Kaduna on Saturday
while addressing a town hall meeting, said the huge debt burden was eating deep
into the state’s federal allocation, adding that, due to the rise in the
exchange rate, the state is now paying back almost triple of what was borrowed
by the previous administration.
He explained that N7 billion out of the N10 billion federal
allocation for the state in March was deducted to service the state’s debt.
He further lamented that the state was left with N3 billion,
an amount he said was not enough to pay salaries, as the state’s monthly salary
bill stands at N5.2 billion.
Governor Sani said despite the debt inherited, his
administration had not borrowed “a single kobo” in the last nine months of his
government.
“Despite the huge debt burden of $587 million, N85 billion,
and 115 contractual liabilities sadly inherited from the previous
administration, we remain resolute in steering Kaduna State towards progress
and sustainable development.
“We have conducted a thorough assessment of our situation
and are sharpening our focus accordingly. It gladdens my heart to inform you
that despite the huge inherited debt on the state, till date, we have not
borrowed a single kobo,” he said.
The governor further said the key priority areas of his
government include safety and security, housing, education, healthcare, and
support for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises, MSMEs.
He said his government would also prioritise inclusive
development by investing in human capital, stimulating the economy, and
providing affordable housing.
Governor Sani highlighted some of his administration’s top
priorities for 2024 to include safety and security, infrastructural
development, education development, housing and urban development, social
intervention, and investment drive, among others.
In his remarks, former Chief of Defence Staff, General
Martin Luther Agwai (retd), sought solutions to the security challenges facing
the state, noting that without peace and security, no meaningful development
could be achieved.
He commended Governor Sani for cutting the cost of
governance due to the huge debt of the state, while urging all residents to
eschew political, religious, or ethnic differences and support the state
government in overcoming the debt challenge.
Emir of Zazzau, Ahmad Nuhu Bamali, expressed optimism
despite the challenges facing the state, adding that the governor has the
capability to turn around the economy of the state for effective development.
He pledged the support of all traditional rulers in the
state to ensure that this administration succeeds.
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