Niger State Governor, Alhaji Abubakar
Sani Bello on Sunday reassured the people of the state that his
administration will cater for all residents irrespective of political
and socio-cultural affiliation.
Governor Sani Bello stated this in
Kontagora at the weekend while meeting with various stakeholders from
the area in continuation of his efforts to carry the people along and
get public input in governance.
In his remark, Bello said: “I recognise
that I contested on the platform of the All Progressives Congress and
promised to abide by its constitution and manifesto. I am 100 percent
loyal APC member, but I swore to an oath to abide by the constitution of
the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“Nigerian Constitution is supreme; it is
above the constitution of APC or any other political party. Political
parties come and go, but Nigerian Constitution remain. I am not a
governor for just APC members but all citizens of the state.”
This, he explained, informed the spread of developmental projects and programmes so far undertaken or being executed.
The Governor explained to the
stakeholders the current financial difficulties Niger State was going
through and called on them to support government policies and programmes
geared toward repositioning the state.
“Nigeria in general and Niger state in
particular is facing serious economic challenges as a result of fall in
oil price at international market and security challenges in the Niger
Delta.
“Niger state like many other states of
Nigeria depends on federal allocation, which has reduced drastically
since the beginning of this administration.
“In the past 16 years under the Peoples
Democratic Party-led administration in the state, Niger state was
getting monthly FAAC Allocation not less than N5 billion. In some
months, the state got N7 billion from the federation account.
“But since the inception of APC
administration in the state, the highest federation allocation it got
was N2.5 billion. And the state wage bill for salaries is about N2.4
billion. In fact, the state has so far taken over N3 billion overdraft
to augment salary since January this year.”
Sani Bellon, who promised to continue to
relate with various stakeholders in the state, emphasised that “this
period call for sacrifice”.
“These challenges call for sacrifice from
all of us. Already, this administration has reduced spending in
Government House from over N150 million weekly to N20 million.
“A stakeholder meeting was held recently
to explain the current situation to the people and also to explain
ongoing discussion with labour in the state. As a government we are
committed to the mandate given to us by over 4million Nigerlites.
“This obligation include, but not limited
to payment of salary. We have to provide basic amenities in line with
the cardinal priority of the administration.
“Despite this challenges, there are 52 on
going projects in various part of the state. This include both urban
and rural roads, hospitals and schools,” Sani Bello added.
DAILY POST
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