*Kaduna State House of Assembly sets up C’ttee to probe Nasir el-Rufai’s administration
*C’ttee tasked to probe loans, grants, projects implementation from 2015 – 2023
*Loans being probed are $587m, N85bn and N115bn in contractual liabilities
*Urges C’ttee to invite all relevant stakeholders for questioning on matters raised
By Our Correspondent
The Kaduna House of Assembly has set up a Committee to examine the finances of the state under the administration of Nasir el-Rufai, the immediate past Governor of the state.
The Committee has been tasked with looking at loans, grants, and project implementation from 2015 to 2023 — the period in which el-Rufai held sway as Governor.
The constitution of the Committee followed a motion on the floor of the Assembly by a member representing Kaura State Constituency, Hon. Yusuf Mugu.
Mugu said it was a matter of public importance that the loans borrowed by the former Governor be investigated.
Speaker Yusuf Dahiru Liman, who presided over the plenary, urged the ad hoc Committee to invite all the relevant stakeholders for questioning and investigation of the matters.
Recall that Governor Uba Sani, during a town hall meeting on March 30, lamented the huge debt inherited from his predecessor, El-Rufai on May 29, 2023.
Sani had said the state was left with a few amounts, not enough to pay salary, adding that his administration inherited a total of $587 million, N85 billion, and 115 contractual liabilities from the ex-governor.
“Despite the huge debt burden of 587 million dollars, 85 billion naira, and N115 billion in 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,” the Governor had said.
However, on Tuesday, the state’s Assembly set up a fact-finding Committee during plenary, among others, to also investigate the former governor’s top associate and Senior Counselor on Investment, Jimi Lawal.
Besides, the panel would probe financial dealings, loans and grants and other project implementation from 2015-2023.
The State Assembly also mandated the Committee to invite notable personalities including the former speakers of the 8th and 9th Assembly, Commissioners of Finance, former Managing Directors of Kaduna Markets, and Commissioners of Budget and Planning among others.
