Sokoto State Governor, Alhaji Aminu Tambuwal, has said he did not collect loan worth over N100 billion last year, contrary to insinuation by detractors in the state.
The governor also lambasted some elite in the state, who he accused of sponsoring some misguided individuals in order to tarnish his image.
Tambuwal made the assertion at a Stakeholders Summit on Sokoto’s 2018 budget held at Shukura Hotel in Sokoto.
He disclosed that the state got a total inflow of N73 billion, comprising internally generated funds, Paris Club funds and Federal allocation.
He also said the total funds in the state’s education levy accounts so far is N530 million.
“We have a total of N530muillion in the education levy account. Not a single kobo has been expended from the account because it is not my duty to spend the money. That responsibility has been to the state education development committee under the leadership of Sultan Muhammad Sa’ad,” he stated.
He wondered why any one would accuse him of collecting a N100 billion loan in 2017, when there were agencies of government open to be contacted for any information.
The governor said, “I never collected N100billion loan. I wonder how these misguided persons are ridiculing themselves in the social media in order to tarnish government’s image when they do not have facts.
“What we have done is to seek soft loans and we followed due process after approval from the State House of Assembly. In fact, some of these loans are deadlocked because we haven’t accessed them.
“I have to tell you the truth that we received an inflow of N73 billion in 2017, which included internally generated revenue, federal allocation and Paris Club funds, despite the fact that we budgeted N204 billion for that year. So, how can we perform optimally? This is the setback we had last year and we were not able to complete some of these physical projects like roads and bridges for people to see and judge us.
“So, I wonder how someone would go on social media and visit radio stations, accusing us of wasting public funds. We know those playing politics and their paymasters. They should seek information from appropriate quarters rather than dissipating energy criticising government.”
He maintained that his administration was open to criticism and would not waver in its efforts to improve the lives of the people.
The governor added, “We are open to criticism and not running a cult. We are open and transparent. People should crosscheck their facts before making unguarded utterances.
“We are all leaders in our respective fields and homes and it is, indeed, unfortunate for a man to lie in public in order to score cheap political points.”
Tambuwal assured the residents of the state of his determination to complete all ongoing projects.
He, therefore, reaffirmed the commitment of the state government towards improving education and human capital.
