The Deputy Governor of Kano State, Abdussalam Gwarzo, has asserted that the former governor of the state, Abdullahi Ganduje, left the state with a debt burden of over N500 billion. This statement was made during the North-West Zonal meeting of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) held in Kaduna.
According to Mr. Gwarzo, the debt inherited by the current administration could exceed N500 billion by the end of the ongoing verification process. He emphasized that this enormous debt has hindered the smooth transition and operation of the NNPP government in the state.
The deputy governor highlighted the positive achievements of the Governor Abba Yusuf-led administration since its inception. He stated that the new government had to contend with a significant financial burden, and efforts were underway to assess and provide a full account of the state’s debt.
Furthermore, Mr. Gwarzo mentioned that Governor Yusuf had been proactive in addressing the financial situation. Under the new administration, full salaries were paid to state workers and other outstanding issues were resolved.
Additionally, the state government initiated the disbursement of retirement gratuities, particularly the death benefits for the families of deceased retirees. This initiative was seen as a compassionate effort to address the financial hardships faced by these families. The state allocated N6 billion for this purpose, with a focus on clearing all outstanding gratuities within the next two years.
It’s essential to note that the claims about the specific debt amount left by the former governor are still being verified, and further details may be revealed once the assessment process is completed.
