The All Progressives Congress (APC) has criticized recent statements made by the Kano State Debt Management Office (DMO), dismissing claims that the current debts being serviced by the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) administration were entirely incurred under former Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje.
In a statement issued by Muhammad Garba, the former Kano State Commissioner for Information and current Chief of Staff to the APC National Chairman, he described the debt claims as deceptive and an attempt by the NNPP government to divert attention from its own political and financial challenges.
READ ALSO: Kano denies borrowing N177 billion from France
Garba expressed concern over remarks attributed to Dr. Hamisu Sadi Ali, the Director General of the Kano DMO, describing them as misleading. “The claim is not only deceiving to the administration he serves, but also unbecoming of a public servant heading one of the most sensitive organs of government,” Garba stated.
He acknowledged that while the Ganduje administration did secure loans during its tenure, the debts highlighted by the DMO include several incurred by previous administrations. “The current debt portfolios listed by the DMO were secured in various years such as 1992, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2015, and 2018,” he noted.
Garba listed specific loans that predated Ganduje’s tenure, including the Multi-state Road Project initiated in 1992, the Malaria Control Booster Project from 2007, and the State Education Sector Project of 2008. He highlighted that additional loans, like the Erosion and Watershed Management Project worth $5 million, were also obtained before Ganduje’s time in office.
He further explained that while the Ganduje administration did secure loans, such as the €64 million subsidiary loan agreement for the Third National Urban Water Sector Reform Project with the French Development Agency in 2018, the implementation was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The NNPP initially took credit for this project until the media traced it back to the APC administration, leading them to deny securing the loan,” Garba lamented.
Additionally, Garba pointed out projects initiated under the APC government that are currently being implemented, including the Kano State Agro Processing Project worth $36.8 million and other infrastructure-related loans.
He urged public office holders, particularly those in sensitive positions, to remain truthful and avoid spreading misinformation. “People holding sensitive offices should be guided by their oath of office and be mindful of the responsibility on them to tell the truth and not mislead the public,” Garba advised.
