Zamfara State Governor denies spending 400 million naira on domestic and international travel for three months
Zamfara state governor Dauda Lawal has denied reports that his government has spent N400 million on domestic and international travel.
The governor described the report based on All Progressives Congress (APC) claims as politically motivated.
Lawal said the opposition was just looking for a loophole to denounce his government before the people of the state.
The governor said this in a statement issued by his press secretary, Suleiman Bala Idris.
The statement also said that an online newspaper erroneously reported that the governor had spent N170,276,294.31 on international travel and transportation, N221,567,094 on domestic travel and N6,929,500 on private security within three months. He also pointed out that.
The statement said the misinformation stemmed from a deliberate misinterpretation of budget data, adding that the first, second and third quarters were under the jurisdiction of the immediate past administration.
The statement said: “I have read an online report claiming that Governor Dauda Lawal spent over N400 million on a trip abroad. This is false and an attempt to tarnish the governor’s image.
“The principles of transparency and accountability are the cornerstones of Governor Dauda Lawal’s government. All relevant information is available on the Zamfara State Government’s official website zamfara.gov.ng.”
“The official website has a detailed report on budget performance, showing a breakdown of the governor’s spending on travel and other activities. Under Governor Dauda Lawal, we have achieved full transparency. and systems of accountability in place, leaving no room for misuse of funds.
“It is therefore important to clarify that the Governor has made only three official foreign visits since taking office on May 29, 2023.”
“My three foreign trips were: attending the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in the United States; a United Nations Development Program (UNDP) retreat in Kigali, Rwanda; and African Development Bank President Akinwumi A. in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire.・Meeting with Dr. Adesina
“Furthermore, the retreat in Kigali was organized by the Nigeria Governors Forum and fully sponsored by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP). Therefore, the government did not spend any money on it. It was used for overseas travel. The only meetings were between the US General Assembly and the Northwestern governor and the AfDB president in Abidjan.”
“The report incorrectly identified funds spent by the previous government as coming from our government’s spending. Our government has never used private security services and has never witnessed a Ramadan period. there is no.”
“We are therefore puzzled as to how the funds for Ramadan fasting and gifts for Eid el-Fitr (Salah) were attributed to us.”
“As a government, we are committed to transparency in all our governance activities. We are committed to bringing about positive change to the people of Zamfara State and we are determined to deliver on that promise. doing.
“Our administration’s relief mission is comprehensive, covering all aspects of governance. We will not be deterred or delayed in action by any misinformation.”
Source: dailypost.ng