Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani, grapples with a formidable fiscal challenge as his administration inherits a staggering debt burden of $587 million, N85 billion, and 115 contractual liabilities from the previous leadership. Despite the mounting pressure, Governor Sani asserts his administration's commitment to fiscal responsibility, refraining from further borrowing, and prioritizing sustainable development.
Governor Sani, addressing a Town Hall Meeting in Kaduna, underscores the crippling impact of the inherited debt on the state's financial health, attributing the difficulty in paying workers' salaries to the significant deductions from the monthly Federal Allocation. With a monthly salary bill of N5.2 billion and only N3 billion remaining after servicing the debt, the state faces a critical shortfall.
The governor reveals that the exchange rate fluctuation exacerbates the repayment burden, resulting in the state paying nearly triple the borrowed amount. Despite these challenges, Governor Sani assures the populace of his administration's unwavering dedication to steering Kaduna State towards progress and sustainable development. He outlines key priorities for 2024, including safety and security, infrastructural development, education, housing, and social intervention initiatives.
In the realm of security, Governor Sani highlights the revitalization of the Kaduna State Vigilance Service, with the recruitment of 7,000 additional personnel and procurement of operational vehicles and motorcycles. Emphasizing the critical role of peace and security in fostering development, former Chief of Defence Staff, General Martin Luther Agwai (rtd), underscores the imperative of addressing security challenges
Governor Sani discusses initiatives to enhance education, such as establishing skills and vocational cities and partnering with Kuwait to reduce out-of-school children by 200,000 through a $62 million project. This endeavor aims to construct 102 new schools and renovate 170 existing ones within four years, addressing skill deficits and improving access to education.
Despite the daunting fiscal landscape inherited by the Sani administration, Governor Sani remains steadfast in his commitment to navigate Kaduna State towards prosperity. With a focus on strategic priorities and collaboration with key stakeholders, including security experts and international partners, the governor aims to overcome challenges and drive sustainable development in the state.
