Mohammed Sani Abdullahi is the Commissioner for Budget and
Planning in Kaduna State and one of the cabinet members in
Governor Ahmed El-Rufai’s administration.
Intelligent and grassroots APC politician spoke with Abubakar Abba on the policies and programmes of his boss, Governor El-Rufai. Read on:
Tell us about the revenue drive of the state government
Well, Kaduna State government generated N18 billion
last year because we were able to block all the loopholes that people
used to steal government money.
Previous governments in the state were concentrating on capital projects in order to siphon money but the present government had ensured prudent management of resources. Despite lower federal allocation, we have been able to run the government and deliver dividends of democracy to our people.
We have not taken external loan but we intend to do so in the nearest
future to do more capital projects.
We are already talking with the State House of Assembly on
this.
Economic recession has affected many states in the country negatively, is Kaduna State part of those states?
There is no economic recession in Kaduna State.
When we talk of recession, all aspects of
the economy are not affected. While some areas are experiencing
decline, others are enjoying increase.
Agricultural production declined to ninety percent two years ago but it improved last year.
Tell us more about the projects of the state government
We are constructing roads and other capital projects. We have created jobs for labourers, food
vendors, masons, block cement moulders etc. and this, of course has
improved the economy of the State.
In 2016, the state raised N18 billion internally generated revenue
(IGR), and for the 2017, we have projected N54 billion IGR, and we
hope to get it from ground rent and other sources within the state.
