Nigerian Governor Says He Is Inheriting An Empty Treasury

Dr. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso took over the mantle of leadership in Kano, North-West Nigeria this morning with a declaration that the Kano state treasury is dry and empty.

 Kwankwaso lamented that despite inheriting over N77 billion liability from Malam Shekarau, the expired government demonstrated gross financial irresponsibility, pointing out that a state with such huge revenue potentials coupled with a huge revenue accruable to it from Federation Account could not have been in such a financial mess. After a brief hand-over ceremony that commenced at 7 a.m. at the Ante Chamber in the Government House, Kwankwaso was sworn in at the Sani Abacha stadium by  the Chief Judge of the state, Justice Shehu Atiku. 

The new governor also revealed that about  N3 billion pension fund is missing in the Pension Board constituted by the Shekarau government, just as he promised to make education, health, agriculture, youth development and empowerment the main thrusts of his administration. 

He also promised to re-enact his programmes when he governed the state between 1999 and 2003, noting that they worked well for him going by the result his administration recorded during the tenure even as he announced his decision to retain the Islamic legal code—Sharia’ah. 

The Ante Chamber was full of emotion during the brief ceremony as Kwankwaso who ironically was defeated by Malam Shekarau in 2003 sent a passionate appeal to stakeholders and the general public in Kano to join hands with him in his quest to actualize his dream of moving Kano forward. While handing over to Kwankwaso, Malam Shekarau recalled the achievements of his administration for the eight years it lasted and hoped that the hand-over note would be explicit enough to explain in details how government affairs were run in the eight years of his administration as well as assist the new helms man in the challenges ahead. 

According to him, “with regard to government finances, a total cumulative receipt to government coffers over the eight-year period beginning from May 2003, was in the sum of N497, 251, 637, 311.32, from this figure, initially internally generated revenue covering Board of Internal Revenue and Collections and parastatals accounted for the sum of N54, 963, 18202.12, as most of the parastatals operate on contract-entry basis revenues accruing to them are spent on their routine operations and projects.  “It is important to highlight that the above receipt include the sum of $25, 164, 554. Out of the claim $202, 715, 664 filed by Messrs. Global Consult, our consultant on behalf the state against the Federal Government as per amount wrongly deducted from the state allocation over the years in the cause of foreign loans settlements.

As at 27 May, 2011, the sum of $81, 704000, 959 have been reconciled with office of the Accountant General of the Federation between the debt management office and the consultant as another money due to the state which can be paid any moment from now. 

He further added that the consultant who was appointed in May, 2010 is entitled to 20 per cent of the recovered sum as success-based fee as per the agreement signed between the state government and the firm. 

Speaking on the expenditure, Shekarau said, “ a total disbursement to each government agency, parastatals, ministries and all other sectors of the government covering the recurrent and capital undertakings would be provided in greater details by the state Ministry of Finance. It is also relevant to note that due to certain exigencies of government, the Ministry of Finance maintains the following special accounts: the state-Local Government joint account; Joint state-Local Government project account; and interest account which is an account where all interest accruing from monies deposited in government banks are accumulated into one place in line with the dictates of the Sahria’ah, afterwards, decisions are taken as to what to do with the generated interest.” 

According to him, the fixed deposit account, crown agent’s account (mainly foreign), sub-treasury account, and the EU Special Project account as at May 27, 2011, “there was a credit bank balance of  N4, 361, 905, 917.15 and cash book balance of N5, 932, 341, 273.19.

In the different account under the treasury as would be seen in the hand-over documents contain details pertaining to one policy thrust of our administration, financial report, accomplishment in some key areas and above all challenges and suggestions  on the way forward; and also details of numerous accomplishments, prospects and constraints.” 

Meanwhile, Kano witnessed unprecedented security presence during the ceremony as both the army, police, State Security Services, SSS, Air Force and other security outfits mounted surveillance at strategic locations within Kano metropolis. 

Thousands of PDP supporters and members of the Kwankwasiyya political movement were sited in their festive mood wearing white caftan and a red cap, as they moved and jubilated with the chanting of Sai Kwankwaso renting the air. 

However, there was a brawl with security agencies and youths in support of Kwankwaso who were stopped from entering Government House as the police released tear-gas to control the crowd and scare them aware.

 Though there is no record of violence or death as at the time of filing this report, the security agencies will surely have a hectic day to control the unprecedented crowd surging from the stadium to Government House, even as the streets of Kano is filled with human and vehicular gridlock.

By Maduabuchi Nmeribeh/Kano