For bequeating N316.9bn debt, “I ask Allah to reward Ganduje according what he did,” the incoming Governor of Kano State, Engr. Abba Kabir Yusuf, said on Monday.
Engr. Abba, who was worried by the poor financial status of the State he just inherited, stated this while receiving the handing over notes from the outgoing Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Usman Alhaji.
Speaking while handing over mantle of power to Abba, the outgoing Secretary said the Ganduje administration had done its best in managing the affairs of the State.
Alhaji noted that the government has outstanding liabilities amount to N241billion and loan profile of N75.6 billion, out of which N9.2 billion was for the State, while the 44 Local Government Areas have N66.3 billion, making a total debt of N316.9bn.
Responding, the incoming Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, expressed surprised over the departure from the traditional means of handing over power in the State, from 1999 to 2015 when Kwankwaso handed over to Abdullahi Ganduje.
“In fact that time, Kwankwaso wanted to stay behind for the swearing-in of Ganduje, so I see no reason whatsoever that he Ganduje could not stay to hand over, but sent a letter that he wanted to hand over by 9pm which we rejected, as it is against the constitutional provisions.
“But we insisted that it has to be today but by 9am, and surprisingly we received very scanty handing over; even the transition committee handing over was also very scanty after we had suffered, including going to the press; however, we are collecting what is being submitted to us.
“It is so disheartening that the Government left debt profile of over N241 billion; where are we going to source the money? And the internally revenue they are talking about is nothing to write home about.
“I ask Allah to reward Ganduje according what he did”.
Yusuf, however exonerated the SSG for doing his best, including providing possible and good advice which were rejected.
