17th October, 2015
Femi Adi/Kaduna
Kaduna Governor, Malam Nasir El-Rufai has vowed to recover all monies stolen from the coffers of the state pension treasury over the years by a cabal of pension syndicates and thieves.
He also said all those involved in the discovered 1.3 billion Naira annual pension scam must return the money and face the wrath of law.
According to El-Rufai, it was unfortunate that the pension thieves capitalised on weakness of the system under the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, during its 16 years administration in the state to loot the pension treasury.
Governor El-Rufai who made this known Friday during the fourth town hall meeting organized by the office of the Special Adviser on Political Matters, Dr. Uba Sani, described as unfortunate a situation where some individuals just sit down in corridors of their offices and steal the money meant to take care of civil servants that have laboured for the state.
According to the governor, the committee set up to investigate the pension scam has reported that even people who are dead are still receiving pension in Kaduna.
He also told the audience at the Kaduna Trade Fair Complex that after the verification exercise of the pensioners in the state, it was revealed that more than 4,000 ghost pensioners were discovered.
While urging the residents of Kaduna to support the effort of the government to rid Kaduna of corrupt public office holders, he gave assurance that once investigation into the scam is completed, identities of the syndicates and thieves would be made public.
Meanwhile, speaking on progress made so far since he assumed office on May 29, he said all promises made are gradually being fulfilled.
However, he reiterated commitment to making education free and compulsory, but begged parents and religious leaders to allow their children go to school.
Reacting to questions from residents of Kaduna Central Senatorial District on security, El-Rufai said substantial progress had been made in reducing crime such as cattle rustling, armed robbery and youth restiveness in the state.
The governor promised to do more in the area of job creation and power supply for industrial growth.