The government of Abdullahi Umar Ganduje in Kano State left a debt of over N500 billion behind, the Deputy Governor of the state, Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo, has declared.
Gwarzo who revealed this in Kaduna while chairing the North-West Zonal Meeting of the New Nigeria People Party (NNPP), added that the debt may be in excess of N500 billion at the end of the ongoing verification process.
He said the huge debt impeded the smooth take-off of the NNPP government in Kano.
Gwarzo said the government made remarkable achievements within the short period of assumption of governance, adding that the government would not disappoint the people of Kano.
He said, “We came into office inheriting a government that left us with nothing but debt. Initially, it was N300 billion, but now it is approaching N500 billion, and we are still counting. Once we complete the assessment, we will inform Nigerians, especially our fellow Kano residents, about the total debt left behind.”
The Deputy Governor said Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf was managing the available resources judiciously, adding that “Governor Yusuf ensured full payment of salaries to state workers and resolved outstanding issues and upon assuming office, he ordered the full payment of salaries which was not the case prior to our administration.
“Furthermore, due to Governor Kabir Yusuf’s compassion, starting this month, the state will be disbursing retirement gratuities, especially the death benefits to families of deceased retirees. The first beneficiaries will be those from levels one to six, as they are junior staff who have suffered the most.
“We have allocated N6 billion for this purpose. The screening process is underway, and by the end of this month, many people will receive their death benefits and gratuities. This initiative will continue, and our goal is to clear all outstanding gratuities within the next two years.”
