By Abiola Olawale
The Kaduna State House of Assembly has commenced the probe into the financial transaction of the immediate past governor of the state, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai.
The Kaduna State Assembly, in a letter addressed to the state’s Ministry of Finance, demanded details of financial transactions under El-rufai’s administration between 2015 and 2023.
In the letter referenced LEG/S. 382/VOL. II/615, the Kaduna State House of Assembly 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, the Kaduna State House of Assembly also gave the ministry till tomorrow, April 25, to produce all financial transactions.
The statement reads: “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.”
The New Diplomat reports that this development came in connection with the state assembly’s probe of all finances, loans, and contract projects awarded under the El-Rufai administration.
It would be recalled that the incumbent Governor of Kaduna State, Uba Sani, had 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.
Sani said, “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.”
