Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State revealed at a town hall meeting on Saturday the staggering debt burden left by the past administration, headed by Nasir El-Rufai.
The inherited debt amounts to $587 million, N85 billion, and 115 contractual liabilities, significantly impacting the state’s federal allocation.
In a comprehensive account of his stewardship, Governor Sani emphasised his commitment to navigating Kaduna State towards progress despite the financial constraints.
The meeting saw a diverse attendance including traditional rulers, religious leaders, politicians, members of Organised Labour, civil society organisations, youths, and women groups.
Notable figures present were former Governor Ramalan Yero and former Chief of Defence Staff, General Martin-Luther Agwai.
Accompanied by Deputy Governor Hadiza Balarabe, Governor Sani outlined the state’s revenue profile and the substantial debt left by his predecessor.
Key priority areas of his administration, such as security, housing, education, healthcare, and support for micro, small, and medium enterprises, were addressed.
The Commissioner of Finance, Shizzer Bada, provided insights into the federal allocation and deductions made to service the inherited debt.
Also, the Budget and Planning counterpart, Muktar Ahmed, shed light on the numerous contractual liabilities, with contractors abandoning projects after receiving payments.
Despite the daunting challenges, Governor Sani assured citizens of his unwavering focus on propelling the state toward progress and sustainable development.
