Kano govt: Ganduje left over N500bn debt
Abba Yusuf Kabir-led Kano State government has alleged that the All Progressives Congress (APC) administration of Abdullahi Umar Ganduje left the state with a debt burden of over N500 billion.
Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo, the Deputy Governor while making this known in Kaduna while chairing the North-West Zonal Meeting of NNPP, maintained that the debt owed by the past government may be over N500 billion at the end of the ongoing verification process.
The deputy governor also said that the huge debt impeded the smooth take-off of the NNPP government in Kano.
Abdussalam, while pointing out the remarkable achievements accomplished by the NNPP-led government in the State within the short period of assumption of governance, assured party chieftains and members at the meeting that, it would not disappoint the people of Kano.
He said, “We came into office inheriting a government that left us with nothing but debt. Initially, it was N300 billion, but now it is approaching N500 billion, and we are still counting. Once we complete the assessment, we will inform Nigerians, especially our fellow Kano residents, about the total debt left behind.”
He also highlighted the efforts of the current Kano state government under Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf in managing the available resources judiciously saying, “Governor Yusuf ensured full payment of salaries to state workers and resolved outstanding issues and upon assuming office, he ordered the full payment of salaries which was not the case before our administration.
“Furthermore, due to Governor Kabir Yusuf’s compassion, starting this month, the state will be disbursing retirement gratuities, especially the death benefits to families of deceased retirees. The first beneficiaries will be those from levels one to six, as they are junior staff who have suffered the most. We have allocated N6 billion for this purpose. The screening process is underway, and by the end of this month, many people will receive their death benefits and gratuities. This initiative will continue, and our goal is to clear all outstanding gratuities within the next two years.”
