Bayo Alabira Dutse
Jigawa state government has set aside N21.3 Billion fi rst and second tranches of the Paris club refund for the on going and future projects across the state. Speaking to reporters yesterday in Dutse, the state commissioner of fi nance, Umar Namadi said in December, 2016 the sum of N14.2 Billion released as fi rst tranche of the Paris club, while the second tranche was N7.1 Billion respectively.
Th e commissioner explained that under the condition given to state governments the fund will be used to settle all outstanding salaries and pension arrears of workers. “It is a known facts that in Jigawa state we don’t have any outstanding salaries or pension arrears, as all workers entitlements are paid as at when due”, he ensured. Th e Commissioner further explained that in the absence of such condition given to states, Jigawa state deems it necessary to settle contractual obligations.
Adding that “Various contractors who have executed road projects across the state by the present administration running into billions were settled”. Namadi stressed that since government is all about social services, the sums of N25 Billion has been expanded on road constructions, N6 Billion on education, N3.5 Billion on Health sector, N500 Million on water supply and N500 Million on economic empowerment among others.
