Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani has cited the significant debts inherited from his predecessor, Nasir El-Rufai’s administration, as the reason for the inability to pay workers’ salaries. Speaking at a town hall meeting in Kaduna on Saturday, Sani disclosed that his administration faced a daunting debt burden totaling $587 million, N85 billion, and 115 contractual liabilities from the previous regime.
He lamented that a substantial portion of the March federal allocation, amounting to N7 billion out of N10 billion, had to be diverted to service the state’s debts. This left only N3 billion, which fell short of covering the state’s monthly salary bill of N5.2 billion. Sani emphasized that the exchange rate fluctuations had further compounded the repayment challenges, resulting in nearly triple the amount being repaid compared to what was borrowed by the preceding administration.
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Despite grappling with this immense debt load, Sani underscored that his administration had refrained from further borrowing in the past nine months. He affirmed the government’s commitment to steering Kaduna State towards progress and sustainable development.
Highlighting key priority areas, including safety and security, housing, education, healthcare, and support for micro, small, and medium enterprises, Sani outlined his government’s focus on inclusive development through investments in human capital and economic stimulation, as well as the provision of affordable housing.
Former Chief of Defence Staff, General Martin Luther Agwai (retd), stressed the imperative of addressing security challenges, emphasizing that peace and security are prerequisites for meaningful development. He commended Governor Sani for reducing the cost of governance and urged residents to support efforts to tackle the debt challenge.
Emir of Zazzau, Ambassador Ahmad Nuhu Bamali, expressed confidence in the state’s ability to overcome its challenges under Governor Sani’s leadership, pledging the support of traditional rulers.
Meanwhile, Bashir, son of former Governor El-Rufai, indirectly criticized Governor Sani’s statements, accusing him of attempting to mask his administration’s incompetence. Bashir alleged that Sani had shirked his responsibilities and neglected his duties as governor, attributing the situation to the governor’s alleged incompetence and the appointment of unqualified aides for political reasons.
