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Chinwendu Nnadozie
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) gubernatorial candidate in Niger state, Dr. Mohammed Kpautagi, has lamented rising debt burden estimated at over ₦1.5 trillion in local and foreign currencies by the Governor Umar Bago led administration between 2023 and 2026.
Kpautagi, reacting to the recent approval of $14.4 million, (over ₦20b) granted by the Niger State House of Assembly (NSHA) for the state purportedly for food security financing facility, however cautioned the legislature to be conscious of the monies borrower to avoid subjecting the state into endless paying back of debts.
Though investing in agriculture sector is good and very important for citizenry as it will strengthen food security, Kpautagi said Nigerlites deserved accountability for such huge sums of money and in what areas it was used.
Kpautagi who was quick to add that he is not against borrowing monies if there is justification for that, said, “Nigerlites deserves clear and comprehensive explanations on the necessity or otherwise of additional borrowings when the state is receiving substantial monthly federal allocations, increased Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) in addition to what is gotten from the 25 Local Government Areas (LGAs)”.
“A responsible government needs to be prudent in utilizing state resources, inculcate transparency and accountability before requesting for additional loans. These are debts that the state must pay back someday, may be our future generations”.
He however lamented that, while citizens hardly sleep with their two eyes closed due to insecurity, suffering acute water scarcity, Governor Bago is busy borrowing money to spend on white elephant projects that have no direct benefits to the hungry and impoverished masses.
“Borrowing is not inherently wrong, but borrowings of such magnitude should be guided by sound economic strategy, transparency, accountability, instead of the one that will put the entire state citizenry in a bankruptcy”.
Security of lives and properties of citizens is one of the topmost pressing challenge facing Niger state, Kpautagi pointed out, adding that, “Crime and criminalities is getting worsening, farmers can’t go to their farms with ease due to the activities of armed bandits in rural communities”.
He also expressed regrets that while citizens are suffering the government that swore on oath to protect them against security threats is focusing on projects that benefit only the few rich people and leaving the general masses to live at the mercy of kidnappers and other dimensional criminalities that has forced people to abandoned their ancestral homes.
Though agriculture is a critical sector for economic growth, the ADC governorship hopeful further pointed out, adding that sustainable food sufficiency can only be realized in an environment whereby farmers are safe and able to access their farmlands without fear of attacks or even being killed.
If voted in, Kpautagi said his first priority as governor will be to collaborate with security agencies, with the support of federal government put an end to all forms of security threats disrupting farming activities across the state.
Kpautagi said the health sector will also attract his administration’s attention, pointing out that the cost of drugs and other medical essentials have gone up beyond the reach of the ordinary citizens hence will review modalities for accessing quality medical or health care services.
The ADC candidate is joining other concerned Nigerlites to condemn fresh loan by the Bago led administration, which the Speaker Niger State House of Assembly (NSHA), Hon. Abdulmalik Sarkin-Daji is finding it difficult to defend.
The Speaker trying to defend Bago by insisting that it was not the state government that is borrowing the money said, “The government only stands as a guarantor for Niger Foods Security Systems and Logistics, through the United Bank for Africa, (UBA) to access funding under the Saudi Exim line credit to support its operations”.
The Speaker further pointed out that, “Niger state government has the constitutional powers to seek loans through the State House of Assembly provided such facilities are required for the development of the state”.
