The Kaduna State Government, under Governor Uba Sani, has allocated N3 billion for office renovations in 2025, despite spending N2.5 billion on similar projects in 2024. This allocation is outlined in the 2025 approved budget, which was passed into law in December 2024.

According to the budget, the Kaduna State Facilities Management Agency has earmarked N3,023,305,045.83 for the renovation of government offices in 2025. In contrast, the agency spent N2,598,520,229.24 on office renovations between January and September 2024. The total budget for 2025 stands at N790.4 billion, with N551.6 billion allocated to capital expenditure and N238.8 billion for recurrent expenditure. The administration emphasizes rural development as a key priority.

Alhaji Mukhtar Morovia, the Commissioner for Planning and Budget, explained that education received the largest share of the budget at 26%, followed by health at 16%, public infrastructure at 13%, and agriculture at 9.5%. He noted that these allocations reflect the government’s focus on human capital development and agricultural growth.

Governor Uba Sani’s administration has faced criticism for its expenditure priorities, especially after he previously questioned the financial decisions of his predecessor, Nasir El-Rufai. This scrutiny gained momentum following the arrest of Shizzer Joy Nasara Bada, the former Commissioner of Finance and Accountant General during El-Rufai’s administration.

Bada was apprehended by operatives of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) at the Murtala Muhammed Airport in Lagos in September 2024 while reportedly attempting to leave the country. The ICPC’s investigation into El-Rufai’s administration is believed to center on allegations of financial mismanagement.

Earlier in 2024, the Kaduna State House of Assembly accused the El-Rufai administration of mismanaging N432 billion during his eight-year tenure, leaving the state with substantial debt. These findings were presented by an ad hoc committee tasked with reviewing state finances, loans, and contracts awarded under El-Rufai’s government.

Henry Zacharia, the committee chairman, revealed that many loans obtained during El-Rufai’s tenure were either misappropriated or secured without adhering to due process.

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