NGO demands transparency in Bauchi finances

The Bauchi Gari Ya Waye Group, a non-governmental organisation in Bauchi, has warned the Bauchi State Government against mismanagement of the state resources.

The group also urged transparency in all financial transactions undertaken by the state, insisting that it is the right of the citizens to know how their resources are used.

Speaking at a press conference held at the Nigeria Union of Journalists Secretariat on Monday, the chairman of the group, Mallam Kabiru Nata’ala opined that “even before Senator Shehu Buba fired a return salvo on governor Bala’s serious criticism of the president Tinubu-led administration, discussions, reservations, and posers were already being asked by concerned citizens of Bauchi State across political party lines on what exactly the governor is doing to cushion the effect of the serious hardship that the average citizen is going through.”

“This is so because the people have since realised that, unlike local government councils whose finances and allocations have been under the direct control of the state government, Bauchi State, under Governor Bala Mohammad has been receiving its allocations and other disbursements in due time and without any strings attached, both under Buhari and the Tinubu presidency.”

The chairman maintained that “in a publication in some national dailies such as Thisday Newspaper of Monday 22 July 2024 at page 38, the Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic planning revealed that Bauchi State received the sum of  Seven billion, Three hundred and Four million, Six hundred and Sixty-five thousand, Nine hundred and ninety-four Naira, Ninety-two kobo as reimbursement under the (NG- CARES) program, otherwise known as The Nigeria COVID-19 Action Recovery and Economic Stimulus.

“Without saying it, it is seriously doubtful if the opposition party in Bauchi will be treated and accorded its rightful place on a sensitive issue of finances like the Federal Government has been doing, going by our experience on how democracy has been emasculated with government and its businesses being run more for a few than for all of us as it should be.”

Nata’ala added that there are pertinent questions on the state of finances in Bauchi State.

Continuing, the chairman stressed, “It is important that we ask the government why it has not been providing citizens with regular updates, at the end of every month, on how much Bauchi State earned and how it is being spent, not just for transparency and accountability but also to allow citizens to know the truth on these matters.

“Taking guidance from this, we feel it is right that the government responds to these pertinent questions on finances and the materials as follows: What is the number of food items and other intervention packages received by Bauchi State from the Federal Government from May 2023 till date?

“What is the explanation and difference between 70 trucks of assorted fertilisers donated by the Federal Government through the CBN for the benefit of the people of Bauchi State, especially the most vulnerable, and the one being sold at the rate of N20,000 per bag by the Bauchi State Government?

“Did Bauchi State earn, in statutory allocation alone, the sum of over one hundred and forty billion in 2023, and how was it spent?

“Is the amount so far received by the Bauchi State Government in 2024 (from January till date) up to about fifty billion naira?

“What is the state of debt in the state and the difference from the figures at the time it took over?”