Clears three-year allowances, grants
By Abdulrahman A. Abdulrauf
Abuja
Adamawa state government has expended about N8.2 billion on the construction of 49 road networks cutting across various parts of the state, including Yola, Jimeta and Mubi. The projects are being handled by Triacta, Teck and Rekord
It similarly disclosed that N7.2billion was used to clear salary arrears, leave grants and loans of the state’s civil servants, some of which had been outstanding for three years.
Governor Muhammad Umar Jibrila Bindow disclosed this recently while fielding questions from journalists at the end of an inspection tour of some ongoing road projects undertaken by his administration.
He said: “Upon our election before inauguration, we quickly settled down, moved to Abuja to see what we can quickly embark on as quick wins, if you like. So, at Abuja, we started linking up with those who could help in realising our campaign promises to the people. So, what we did was to first look into our roads. Yes, generally, the state of infrastructure in the state is poor and we felt, look let us start with road because it is very central to our economic development.
“We started with road and you could see for yourselves when we went round. So, we quickly awarded contracts to the various construction firms, and even carried on with the one we met on ground, having satisfied with the quality of work it had previously done. We have the projects in Yola, Jimeta and Mubi covering 49.01 kilometres at say, about N8.2 billion.”
Continuing, he said: “Yes, we also have our plans for the schools; that is education as well as the health sectors. The state of infrastructure in the state is terrible. Infrastructure is broken down in Adamawa. We are starting with roads because it is very central to our development, to be followed later by health, agriculture, schools and all others
“You will agree with me that we even borrow overdraft to pay salaries because the federal allocation has been dropping since we came on board. I understand that of November could be better.”
Lamenting the effect of the insurgency has had on the state, the governor said the northern part of the state where huge revenues come from, had been under attack from insurgents.
On the welfare of civil servants, the governor said “about N7.2 billion was used to clear salaries, car loans and allowances. In fact, some of these allowances had been outstanding for three years. Wardrobe allowances and similar allowances were always paid to our judges and we also got them new cars. They are extremely happy.”
