Governor Umaru Bago of Niger State says he did not regret obtaining a N1 Trillion loan for infrastructure projects in the state.
The governor’s remarks came amid media reports that he expressed regret obtaining the loan.
His spokesperson, CPS, Bologi Ibrahim, said in a statement on Wednesday that his principal was misquoted.
A viral video clip is making the rounds quoting Bago lamenting over the slow pace of work by contractors handling different projects in the state, despite securing a N1 trillion loan.
Bago had said the delay in executing the projects has made the amount to become a burden on him.
Ibrahim said “The now viral statement online, that Farmer Governor Bago regrets securing a N1 Trillion loan for the state’s Urban — Rural Renewal Projects instead of N500 billion”, was contextually misunderstood.
“The Farmer Governor has at different fora reiterated that he has enough funds to execute all the ongoing projects in the State.
“At the meeting with the contractors handling various projects in the state, the Farmer Governor expressed his apprehension over delays in project execution but couldn’t have “regretted” [in the actual sense of the word].”
Claims suggesting regret are a misrepresentation of the position and intent of the governor, his spokesperson said, adding that Bago was ready to start the second phase of its Urban — Rural Renewal Projects by the end of this year.
The governor said the state government is judiciously utilising the state resources and dismissed concerns about potential strains on the state.
The chief press secretary urged the public to disregard the unfounded and misleading report as Farmer Governor Bago has always prioritised transparency in financial matters by publishing financial statements of the state in national dailies.
