By Abimbola Ogunnaike
The Kaduna State House of Assembly has written to the state’s Ministry of Finance, demanding details of financial transactions under former governor Nasir El-rufai’s administration between 2015 and 2023.
This was in connection with the state assembly’s probe of all finances, loans and contract projects awarded under the El-Rufai administration.
The probe by the state Assembly comes weeks after the incumbent Governor of Kaduna State, Uba Sani, lamented that El-Rufai left him a huge debt profile.
Sani, who spoke during a town hall meeting in Kaduna, said he inherited a lean treasury, adding that he could not pay workers’ salaries.
“Despite the huge debt burden of N587m, N85bn, and N115bn 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,” Sani said
The revelation by Sani generated reactions from several quarters, including El-Rufai’s son, Bashir, who took to his social media handle and accused his father’s successor of shying away from his responsibility.
Bashir accused the governor of always staying away from the state and hibernating in Abuja, instead of sitting in Kaduna to do the job he was elected for.
The controversy also led to the suspension of the Kano APC Women Leader, Maryam Suleiman, who also backed El-Rufai and tackled Governor Sani.
Last Tuesday, at plenary, the Kano State House of Assembly resolved to probe El-Rufai’s administration and therefore set up a fact-finding committee.
Meanwhile, the letter with reference number LEG/S. 382/VOL. II/615, from the office of the Clerk of the Assembly to the Finance Commissioner, requested the submission of a memorandum and documents related to financial transactions between the years 2015 and May 2023.
In the letter signed by the Clerk of the Assembly, Sakinatu Idris, which was made available to an online news medium on Wednesday, 24 April, 2024, the House directed the ministry to forward all the transaction details to the fact-finding committee set to probe all finances, loans and contract projects awarded under El-Rufai’s administration.
It read, “I am directed to request that you forward to the Ad-Hoc Committee Memorandum the under-listed documents and all other documents you consider relevant to the assignment of the Committee: –”total Loans from May 2015 to May 2023 with the approvals of the Kaduna State House of Assembly, the Accounts into which the loans were lodged and drawn as recorded by Project Finance Management Unit (PFMU) & Debt Management Office (DMO).
“Relevant State Executive Council Minutes of meetings, Council’s Extracts and Resolutions with regards to the LOANS. (c) Payments and Outstanding Liabilities to Contractors from May, 2015-May, 2023.
“Reports of Salaries paid to Staff from 2016-2022. (e) Dloyd Reports on KADRIS from 2015 to 2023. (ii) Terms, Purpose and Conditions on those LOANS. (iii) Appropriation items related to the LOANS. (iv) All Records of payments made to all Contractors engaged by the State Government and relevant documents from May 2015 to May 2023 including Bank Statements.
“(v)Modalities for payments of contracts. (vi) Documents of all payments made to the contractors. (vii) Sales of Government Houses/Properties and Accounts the proceeds were lodged and how the money was expended.
“Thirty (30) copies of the Memo/documents should reach the office of the Clerk to the Legislature on or before Thursday, 25th April 2024 by 10:00 am, please. 4. Accept the highest regards of my office, please.”
Source: The Punch online
