THE COLLOSAL INDEBTEDNESS EX. GOV. YARI LEFT TO ZAMFARA STATE

The immediate past administration of ex. governor Abdulaziz Yari Abubakar has left behind a startling sum of N251, 951,849,482.50 as liability to the new administration of Gov. Mohammed Bello Matawallen-Maradun in Zamfara state. 

This disturbing position was made known by Chairman Transition Committee ,Mallam Ibrahim Wakkala Muhammad while addressing Journalists at the transition committee Secretariat, Government House, Gusau, 

The Chairman said the Transition Committee was earlier set up by the present administration to verify the level of indebtedness of the state as at the time it took over the helm of affairs in the state. 

The report included extractions from an earlier version of the report a transition committee of the immediate past government. 

LIABILITIES FROM ONGOING PROJECTS:

The total liability drawn from ongoing projects as submitted by the last administration itself under economic, environmental, general administration and social sectors stands at the sum of N151, 190,477,572.02 (One Hundred and Fifty-One Billion, One Hundred and Ninety Million, Four Hundred and Seventy-Seven Thousand, Five Hundred and Seventy-Two Naira, Two Kobo). 

LIABILITIES FROM MINISTRY OF FINANCE:

This includes outstanding loans, contact retention, bailouts and bank loans which left a burden of N65, 361,873,755.75 (Sixty-Five Billion, Three Hundred and Sixty-One Million, Eight Hundred and Seventy-Three Thousand, Seven Hundred and Fifty-Five Naira, Seventy-Five Kobo). 

LIABILITIES FROM THE MINISTRY FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND CHIEFTAINCY AFFAIRS:

Under this ministry which may have served as one of soft conduits to siphon public funds, the sum of N35, 399,498,154.53 (Thirty-Five Billion, Three Hundred and Ninety-Nine Million, Four Hundred and Ninety-Eight Thousand, One Hundred and Fifty-Four Naira, Fifty-Three Kobo) has remained unexplained. 

For deductions towards National Housing Fund (NHF) scheme contributions to enable the state's civil servants own and comfortably retire in their personal houses as well as Contributory Pensions Scheme deductible from workers salaries, non remittance of these funds amounted to the sum of N1, 431,645,305.99 (One Billion, Four Hundred and Thirty-One Million, Six Hundred and Forty-Five Thousand, Three Hundred and Five Naira, Ninety-Nine Kobo) even as the amount was deducted from the workers' salaries between 2016 and 2019 as the money have not been remitted to the respective organizations. 

LIABILITIES FROM THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION:

As one of the major sectors providing social services in the state especially in the provision of educationally sound and crime free society, this sector has suffered from the deprivation of an unexplained sum of N2, 812,172,155 (Two Billion, Eight Hundred and Twelve Million, One Hundred and Seventy-Two Thousand One Hundred and Fifty-Five Naira which had denied several indigent secondary school leavers from furthering their education over the years as they could not collect their results due to the government's failure to settle the bills as promised. 

Although the past government claimed to have settled outstanding gratuity to retired civil servants following the approval of the sum of N2, 000,000,000 (Two Billion Naira) by the ex-governor, the committee discovered that only retired Permanent Secretaries benefited and that only about N400, 000,000 (Four Hundred Million) was utilized while the remaining N1. 6 billion (One Billion, Six Hundred Million) is still unaccounted for. 

These are, but some of the revelations and discoveries made by the Transition Committee set up by the Executive Governor of the state, Alhaji (Dr.) Bello Mohammed Matawallen-Maradun and chaired by the immediate past Deputy-governor of the state, Mallam Ibrahim Muhammad Wakkala

YUSUF IDRIS G

Director General Press Affairs, Government House,Gusau.

24/06/2019

GOV MATAWALLE MOVES TO FREE ALARAMMA IN SAUDI ARABIA

His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Zamfara State, Hon.(Dr) Bello Mohammed (Matawallen Maradun) has held a meeting with officials of the Nigerian Consulate office in Jeddah on Thursday, 20th June, 2019. The main objective of the meeting was to arrange for release of Alaramma Ibrahim Gusau, who was allegedly accused of traveling into Saudi Arabia with prohibited drugs, two more than years ago but has been acquitted by three courts and allowed to perform Umrah together with Governor's entourage. Alaramma Ibrahim Ibrahim is an indigene of Zamfara State. The Consulate officials in the meeting were led by the Ag. Consul General, Alh. Garba Satome Grema. 

The Ag. Consul General expressed gratitude to the Governor for the visit and the concern shown in the unfortunate situation Ibrahim Ibrahim found himself. He explained that the victim is now on bail, and in custody of the Consulate office. With the concern shown by the Governor, Grema was optimistic that the case would soon be over.

Responding, Governor Bello Matawalle appreciated efforts of the Consulate office since the arrest of Alaramma Ibrahim to date. He further expressed commitment to the freedom and general welfare of the people of Zamfara State; which encouraged him not to leave stone unturned in that regard. This commitment informed his decision to visit the Consulate, in order to request for their cooperation in securing the release of Ibrahim Ibrahim. His Excellency was finally given documents addressed to Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs to finalize his release. Matawalle disclosed that he would contact the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs immediately he returns to Nigeria, for arrangements in the final release of the victim.

Signed 

Ibrahim Bello Zauma 

SSA (New Media) 

SECURITY: ZAMFARA STATE GOVERNMENT REITERATES ITS COMMITMENT ON SECURITY IN ZAMFARA STATE.

"The Secretary to the Government of Zamfara State (SSG) Alhaji Bala Bello Maru, has reiterated the government effort in its bid to bring an end to banditry and insecurity bedeviling the state. He said he is optimistic that with plan of action and other strategies put in place, the issue of banditry cattle rustling, kidnapping and other forms of crimes would soon come to an end in the state.

While fielding questions from Journalists in Gusau yesterday, the SSG said the government is making all necessary move to ensure security is restored and residents have peace and go to sleep with their two eyes closed.

He said as part of strategies in the fight against banditry, the state Governor Dr. Bello Mohammed Matawalle has engaged in consultations with President Muhammadu Buhari in Abuja, the Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo and the Inspector General of Police IGP Mohammed Adamu all in an effort to give support in the fight against insecurity in the state.

“In fact, few days to our inauguration, the Governor did all in his capacity without sleeping meeting with all relevant stakeholders, traditional rulers and the security agents to give advice on best ways to facilitate the return of peace to Zamfara.”

Maru explained further that the government had also succeeded in gathering all the leaders of Miyatti Allah and cattle breeders and had meeting with them in finding lasting solutions of the insecurity in the state.

He said the Fulani leaders, who came from different camps in Zamfara and had a meeting at Government House Gusau, have agreed to surrender all their weapons for peace to reign in Zamfara

We‘ll bring an end to banditry, insecurity in Zamfara" –SSG

SECURITY, MY TOP PRIORITY - GOV BELLO MATAWALLE

The security of Zamfara is top in our priorities and we will not rest until everyone is comfortable to move freely within and around Zamfara State without any fear of any kind of attack. In an effort to bringing a lasting solution to the security challenges bedeviling the state, I received the Chief of Army Staff Lt. General Tukur Yusuf Buratai, represented by the Chief of Training and Operations Major General Lamidi Adeosun on a courtesy call in Gusau today. With the strategies we have designed, I assure you that Zamfara will soon become one of the most peaceful states in Nigeria. Every one of us deserves to live peacefully. We shall succeed.

By Ibrahim Bello Zauma S

Senior Special Assistant on New Media to His Excellency the Executive Governor of Zamfara

SPEECH BY EXCELLENCY, THE EXECUTIVE GOVERNOR OF ZAMFARA STATE, HONOURABLE (DR) BELLO MUHAMMAD (MATAWALLEN MARADUN), AT THE OCCASION OF SWEARING IN OF THE NEW SECRETARY TO THE STATE GOVERNMENT, HELD ON MONDAY, 3RD JUNE 2019

In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful.

2. I would like to start by expressing gratitude to Almighty Allah who has made it possible for us to be here today for the swearing-in of Alhaji Bala Bello Maru, as the new Secretary to the State Government.

3. The appointment of Secretary to the State Government barely one week after our inauguration is one of the key decisions I have made with a view to beginning the task of translating the vision of our administration into reality.

4. As you are aware, the Secretary to the State Government plays a central and vital role in ensuring effectiveness and efficiency in the day-to-day running of the government. His office plays a critical function in the formalisation of policies and programmes, and coordinating government’s Ministries, Agencies, and Departments towards effective implementation of the policies and programmes. The occupant of this important office, therefore, has a challenging responsibility of ensuring compliance with the state policy and the overall success of any administration.

5.  The appointment of Alhaji Bala Bello Maru to this exalted office, which was done after extensive consultation, is based on recognition of his previous records of performance, amiable personality, and wide acceptance across the broad political horizon of the state.

6. I would like to remind the just sworn in Secretary to the State Government that our administration, like all other democratic administrations, draws its strength from our people. You, therefore, have a great responsibility of coordinating all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies towards meeting the huge expectations of our teeming populace. I expect you to be up and doing to ensure that all policies and programmes of my administration are carefully designed and articulated to meet the development needs of our state and promote the socio-economic wellbeing of our people.

7. Today, the most formidable challenge confronting our state is that of security. Your office is therefore expected to play a significant role in implementing the government’s strategy of combatting this challenge.

8. Our people’s expectations are high; they are longing for improvement in their living conditions and the general development of our state. You, therefore, have to work harder to justify the huge confidence we repose in you and meet the yearnings and aspirations of the people.

9. I call on the entire civil servants to extend hands of cooperation to the new Secretary to the State Government to enable him to succeed in the onerous task ahead of him. On our part, I want to assure you that my government will give you all the necessary support you require to accomplish the desired objectives for the betterment our people.

10. Finally, I congratulate you on this appointment and wish you Allah’s guidance and protection in the discharge of your responsibilities.

Thank you and Wassalamu Alaikum.