APC accuses outgoing governor of last-minute looting

dimeji akinloye

May 16, 2015 10:51 AM

The Governor is accused of plotting to scam the state of N2.744 billion Sure-P funds meant for the 24 Local Government Areas in the state.

Governor Ramalan Yero.

The outgoing Governor of Kaduna State, Mukhtar Yero, has been accused of last-minute looting of the state treasury by the All Progressives Congress (APC) lawmakers in the state House of Assembly.

They alleged that the Governor is plotting to swindle the state of N2.744 billion Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme fund. The 2014 Sure-P funds is for the 24 Local Government Areas in the state.

According to the House Deputy Minority Leader, Dr. Aminu Abdullahi-Shagali, who spoke at a press briefing on Friday, May 15, Yero also allocated 50 per cent of the money for road projects.

Shagali said the move is criminal.

He said, “we find it absolutely necessary to address the people of Kaduna State through the media. Ordinarily by this period of the month when handing over notes of the outgoing government has been received and incoming government is preparing its inauguration, we should not be concerned with anything.

“However, the attempt of the outgoing government to quickly appropriate and disbursed the Sure-P to the 23 LGAs is last-minute looting and squandering of public funds.

“A request submitted this week by the executive arm to the House of Assembly to appropriate the 2014 Sure-P funds of the 23 LGAs to the tune of N7.744b is not only improper, but gross financial recklessness.

“There is no how a local government council can judiciously execute any meaningful project within two weeks considering the fact that diligent due process and financial regulations have to be followed.

“Even though an attempt was made to discuss the issue and pass it, a resolution was made during an executive session that the fund should not be appropriated and disbursed.

“We, the concerned members of the Kaduna State House of Assembly, hereby wish to state categorically that we are not a party and will not be a party to such financial recklessness.”

It was gathered that Yero government has already indicated the funds in question in the handing over notes.

dimeji akinloye