By: Monday Danladi, Bauchi
Bauchi State Executive Council (SEC), has approved the commencement of process to recover several Billions of Naira alleged to have been siphoned and misappropriated by some identified individuals.
The announcement was made by the Commissioner for Justice and Attorney General, Barrister Hassan El-Yakub, SAN, while briefing Journalists at the end of SEC meeting held on Monday at the Council Chambers of Governor’s Office, Bauchi.
According to him, the SEC considered and accepted most of the recommendations contained in two separate white paper reports presented before the Council.
He explained that the first white paper followed the report of an investigative panel set up by Governor Bala Mohammed to probe alleged abuse of administrative and financial procedures, including unauthorized loans and financial transactions linked to the tenure of former Accountant General of the State, between 2021 and 2024.
According to the Attorney General, the report uncovered alleged financial losses running into Billions of Naira, while government has approved disciplinary measures, reforms, possible prosecutions, and recovery processes against individuals and institutions found culpable.
Hassan El-Yakub, SAN, further stated that the Council also approved the white paper report on the visitation panel to Sa’adu Zungur University (SAZU), covering issues related to salaries, pensions, staff unionism, and administration of the institution, with directives for immediate implementation of key recommendations.
The Chief Law Officer of the State assured that the modalities for the exercise will soon be made public while every money recovered will be duly accounted for and utilised for the good of the State.
The Council also approved and ratified major policy decisions and infrastructure projects aimed at strengthening governance, improving traditional institutions, recovering public funds, and expanding critical infrastructure across the state.
Briefing newsmen after the Executive Council meeting held at the Government House Bauchi, the Chief Economic Adviser to the Governor, Alhaji Yahuza Adamu, said the Council approved an upward review of remuneration for traditional rulers across the state as part of efforts to strengthen traditional institutions for effective community governance.
Yahuza Adamu, who presented the memo on behalf of the Head of Service, explained that the review covers First Class, Second Class and Third Class Emirs, District Heads, and Village Heads, noting that some traditional rulers previously earned little or no remuneration before the present administration.
He stated that government had already provided vehicles, housing and other support facilities for traditional rulers, adding that the newly approved remuneration package represents over three hundred percent increase from previous earnings.
Also speaking, the Commissioner for Works, Professor Saul Titus Ketkuka, announced that the Executive Council ratified nineteen road and infrastructure related projects across the state following due process approvals by the Ministry of Works.
Saul Titus Ketkuka explained that the approved projects include installation of solar street lights on newly completed roads around the International Conference Centre and airport corridors, rehabilitation of the Alkaleri road, upgrading of airfield facilities, rehabilitation of roads leading to Gubi Dam and treatment plant, as well as installation of CAT 2 Instrument Landing System at the Bauchi International Airport.
The Commissioner noted that the approvals reflect Governor Bala Mohammed’s continued commitment to infrastructure expansion, road connectivity, and sustainable urban development despite prevailing economic challenges.
Leave a Comment