Kebbi governor inherits N83 billion debt from past administration

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Governor Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi State said he inherited N83 billion debt from his predecessor, Saidu Dakingari.

Mr. Bagudu said this in a statement signed by his newly appointed Chief of Staff, Sulaiman Argungu, and read at a press conference by the Secretary of the Publicity Committee of the All Progressives Congress Campaign Organization, Sani Dododo.

Mr. Bagudu said the hand over notes showed outstanding liabilities of N83 billion made up of N21 billion debts, N47 billion commitments on ongoing projects and N15 billion on projects approved but not which had not yet commenced.

He said Mr. Dakingari left only N300 million in the state’s coffers.

The new governor said he has set up a committee to study and verify the claims of asset and liability contained in the handing over notes presented by the erstwhile administration of Mr. Dakingari.

“The Committee is to be chaired by the former Accountant General of the state, Alh Muhammad Kwaido and will draw representation from the state civil service, security agencies and other stakeholders,” he added.

During the May 29 swearing in ceremony, the former Deputy Governor, Ibrahim Aliyu, who represented the former administration, gave Mr. Bagudu three documents titled: “The structure, functions and duties of the office of the executive governor”; Functions and responsibilities of ministries , departments and agencies and Assets, liabilities and commitments.”

Mr. Argungu’s announcement of the state’s financial profile is his first public task after his appointment as Chief of Staff by the governor.

Mr. Argungu, who was the former Deputy Governor of the state, also served as the Director General of the All Progressives Congress Campaign Organization in the State.

He was also a former National Organizing Secretary of the defunct All Nigeria Peoples Party. Mr. Argungu chaired the state’s APC Contact and Mobilization Committee.

He studied Building Technology in the Kaduna Polytechnic and Management in the Usman Danfodio University, Sokoto.