By: Mayen Etim
A group under the auspice of Joint Action Committee on Non-Violence Movement, (JACON), has called for immediate set up of a commission of enquiry to probe the Kaduna State debt left behind by the previous administration of Malam Nasir El-Rufa’i.
Recall that the Kaduna State Governor, Senator Uba Sani, at a town hall stakeholders meeting on Saturday March 30, had lamented over the huge debt burden of $587 million, N85 billion and 115 contractual liabilities the state is saddled with which has made it difficult to pay workers salaries and contractors debt obligations.
The governor further said the State Government received allocation of N10 billion from the federation account for the month of March, out of which N7 billion was deducted to service debts left by the previous administration, hence the balance of N3 billion was not enough to pay salaries as the state monthly salaries bill is N5.2 billion.
The group carried placards with various inscription such as: “Enough is Enough”; Let’s stand together on this”, “Depleted Treasury, Debt! Debt!”, “SOS Save Our State”, among others.
Addressing the media at a press conference in Kaduna on Sunday March 31, JACON Joint Coordinator, Engineer Musa Idris,
said the probe should unravel contracts awarded for which payments were made but not executed or partially executed; and monies should be recovered from those who abandoned contracts after collecting mobilization money.
JACON also demanded that: “The award of contract for the non-existent construction of 3 specialist hospitals in the three senatorial zones of which money have been paid be investigated.
“That a Task-Force should be constituted to recover all government assets from former political appointees and former State House Assembly members (like cars etc).
“That anybody found wanting after the investigation should have his assets confiscated and forfeited to the State Government.
“Culprits should be banned from holding any political office for a period of years as may be decided.
That such a person(s) be handed over to EFCC and ICPC for further interrogations.
“That contractors whom have successfully and satisfactorily completed their jobs should be paid while those that absconded should be compelled to come and complete their projects.”
JACON, however commended Gov Sani for running the State without borrowing a single kobo since he was sworn in.
It credited the governor for embarking on some on-going projects in education, housing, rural infrastructure, feeder roads and housing, spread across the 23 Local Government Areas (LGA) in the State.
The group also said credit should be given to the Kaduna State Government under the leadership of Senator Uba Sani and the Federal Government under the able leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the successful rescue of the Kidnapped Kuriga School Children and the reconstruction of the Tudun Biri community that where involved in the bomb blast.
