By Uzair Adam Imam
Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State recently spoke at a town hall meeting, shedding light on the hurdles impeding his administration’s ability to pay workers’ salaries.
Sani attributed this predicament to the substantial debts inherited from his predecessor, Nasir El-Rufai.
During the meeting, Sani revealed that his administration inherited a colossal debt burden totaling $587 million, N85 billion, and 115 contractual liabilities from the previous government.
He disclosed that a significant portion of the federal allocation for Kaduna State in March, amounting to N7 billion out of N10 billion, was diverted to service the state’s debt.
Consequently, only N3 billion remained to cover expenses, falling short of the state’s monthly salary bill of N5.2 billion.
Sani emphasized the adverse effects of the exchange rate fluctuations, resulting in the state paying back nearly triple the amount borrowed by the previous administration.
Despite these challenges, he asserted that his administration had refrained from borrowing any funds in the past nine months.
The governor underscored his commitment to steering Kaduna State towards progress and sustainable development despite the inherited debt burden.
He highlighted key priority areas for his government, including safety and security, housing, education, healthcare, and support for micro, small, and medium enterprises.
Additionally, he pledged to prioritize inclusive development by investing in human capital, stimulating the economy, and providing affordable housing.