How Bauchi Governor Expended N1.3 billion Just On International Travels Without Any Commensurate Benefits to The State
- Explain To Us How N2.8 billion Fertilizer Money Was Expended-Group Tells Gov Abubakar
- How Gov. Abubakar Paid N1.6 Billion As Consultancy Services For N12.7 Billion Paris Club Refund
A Bauchi anti-corruption group, the Bauchi Coalition Against Financial Crimes and Injustice (BACAFCI) has accused Governor Mohammed Abubakar of expending over N1.3 billion in just two years in office for international Travels with any commensurate benefits to the State.
In a statement signed by Yakubu Alhaji Jibrin, Secretary General of Bauchi Coalition against Financial Crimes and Injustice (BACAFCI), he said; “BACAFCI was opportune to come across the Budget Performance of Governor Mohammad Abdullahi Abubakr of Bauchi state for the period that ended on 31st October, 2016.”
According to BACAFCI in its statement it read thus; “We became worried, which gave us persistent headache, when we saw the amount budgeted for the Governor on International travels and others. Bauchi state is lacking behind in everything. No Infrastructure, no adequate water supply, no metropolitan roads, no good health care services, most schools are dilapidated, and in bad shape. Civil service is degraded and relegated, gratuities are not paid, civil servants leave grants is no longer a right in Bauchi state. The whole state has become a refuse dump. The state is the most backward in the history of Nigeria today. All Local Governments councils are in shambles and shortchanged.”
“The government of Mohammad Abdullahi Abubakr spent two years in office with nothing to show. I would like concern citizens of the state to note that, the sum of One billion, Three and Sixteen million, Two Hundred and Fifty Thousand, Nine Hundred and Eighty and One Naira, Seventy Eight Kobo (N 1, 316, 253, 981. 78) was budgeted for him to travel to foreign countries. The detail reads: Economic Code (22020104), Fund Code (02101), under the Secretary to the State Government (011101300100). Initial Budget was Eight Hundred and Fouty Two million, Three Hundred Thousand Naira, (N 842, 300, 000). It was increased by Two Hundred and Fifty million Naira, ( N 250, 000, 000).
“This means the authorized figure stands at 0ne billion and Ninety Two million Three Hundred Thousand Naira, ( N 1, 092, 300, 000). The actual according to the budget performance is ( N 1, 316, 253, 981. 78). The variance in case of any shortfall is Two hundred and Twenty Three million, Nine Hundred and Fifty Three Thousand, Nine Hundred and Eighty One Naira, Seventy Eight Kobo, ( N 223, 953, 981. 78). ( All this information were quoted from the Budget Performance), the group said.
According to the anti-corruption group, the questions that are begging for an answer, are this, “Had all the International travels made by the Governor yield any favorable or fruitful result to the people of the state? Bauchi state people are still poor, no changes or improvement in their wellbeing. The environment has not change it’s still the same. But, over 1.3 billion is wasted in international travels alone just for one year ( 365 days).
This attitude can best be described as a wasteful spending by the Governor. As taxpayers it’s an obligation on us to cry out.”
Aside the issue of bogus expenditure for international travels that didn’t get any benefits for the State according to BACAFCI, it said in another statement that it has detected another shady transaction that needs clarification. In a statement by the group, it said; “The administration of Governor Mohammad Abdullahi Abubakr of Bauchi State procured fertilizer worth of Two Billion, Eight Hundred and Thirteen Million, Three Hundred and Fourty Thousand Naira, (N 2, 813, 340, 000). Only for the year 2017, farming season. And the payment of which was made on the 7th -03 -2017.”
“We as concerned citizens and taxpayers, we want the government to furnish the entire good peoples of Bauchi state with the following information:
- Contract Agreement for the purchase
- The name of the Contractor
- Delivery Advice
- Stores Receipt Voucher ( SRV )
- Where this commodity worth that amount is stocked
- Distribution list of the beneficiaries ( if any ), as to whether it was distributed to local governments, Cooperatives, Associations or individuals.
- And evidence of compliance with procurement act.
According to Yakubu Jibrin he said; “We are quite aware that, the Federal government under the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari signed a memorandum of understanding ( MOU ), with the Government of Morocco, to supply Nigeria with the raw materials for blending fertilizer for an exchange for Gas. In view of that the federal government provided those states with fertilizer blending companies with the raw materials, to blend the commodity for the benefit of Nigerian farmers, in which Bauchi is alleged to be one selected.
The sum of ( N 2, 813, 340, 000), is big or huge amount that cannot be overlooked or slip under the carpet.
BACAFCI and the entire Bauchi state people are waiting patiently for your early response. You can always count on us on our activities towards having a sanitize and corrupt free society.”
Meanwhile, the Governor was accused by the anti-Corruption group, the Bauchi Coalition Against Financial Crimes and Injustice, (BACAFCI) has raised alarm on how the Governor is misappropriating funds belonging to the State.
In a statement issued by Yakubu Alhaji Jibrin, the Secretary General of the group he said; “I weep for Bauchi State and its citizens. Actually, our dear state is seriously in trouble. Bauchi state people voted for APC with good intention, and also with the hope that the reflects of Buhari administration at the federal level will be imitated in Bauchi. Unfortunately, the reverse is the case.
Furthermore said; “Bauchi state received N12.7 billion. Those monies were released head on, without any hitch, but the government of M.A Abubakr, authorized and directed the payment of One billion, Six hundred and Forty million, Six hundred and fifty Nine thousand, Two hundred and Nine Naira, Seventy Nine Kobo. (N1, 640, 659, 209: 79K), into Zenith Bank Account Number 1012899394 of one (MAURTIZ WALTON as consultations fees for Paris Club funds on 21st- 12- 2016. The actual money deducted for the consultancy services was N1.9 billion, but N300 million was removed as tax. That’s another mishap.”
Read The Full Statement Below:
I weep for Bauchi State and its citizens. Actually, our dear state is seriously in trouble. Bauchi state people voted for APC with good intention, and also with the hope that the reflects of Buhari administration at the federal level will be imitated in Bauchi. Unfortunately, the reverse is the case. Beside the controversial UBA loan of 4 billion naira, which the government of M.A Abubakr took without authorization, and the N8.6 billion which was a mirage, according to the Governor.
It has happened again. Bauchi state is indeed in trouble. President Buhari once again, sympathized with states that cannot pay its workers’ salaries, pensions and gratuities. When the Paris Club funds were returned, he directed the immediate release of the funds to the states, according to the deductions earlier made.
Bauchi state received N12.7 billion. Those monies were released head on, without any hitch, but the government of M.A Abubakr, authorized and directed the payment of One billion, Six hundred and Forty million, Six hundred and fifty Nine thousand, Two hundred and Nine Naira, Seventy Nine Kobo. (N1, 640, 659, 209: 79K), into Zenith Bank Account Number 1012899394 of one (MAURTIZ WALTON as consultations fees for Paris Club funds on 21st- 12- 2016. The actual money deducted for the consultancy services was N1.9 billion, but N300 million was removed as tax. That’s another mishap.
The N1.6 billion was transferred from FCMB to Zenith Bank, with cheque number 16181311 and Ministry of Finance Bauchi detailed cheque number 0994900017. The money was transferred from Jos Road branch of the Bank in Bauchi. Through sort code number 057080361. This is outright fraud and open corruption. How can someone pay N1.6 billion consultancy services for N12.7 billion? No state was expecting this money, but out of goodwill and gesture of the President released the funds to them.
By the way, who is this person that was paid this money? His name (MAURTIZ WALTON), doesn’t sound Bauchi state. And of what benefit is this person to the people of Bauchi state? This is fraudulent transaction that is equivalent to terrorism.
Yakubu Alhaji Jibrin, Secretary General of Bauchi Coalition Against Financial Crimes and Injustice. (BACAFCI).
- Watch out For More Details over Bauchi’s Aircraft and The Yankari Games Reserves Audit Report
