Bauchi To Recover Stolen Funds, Orders Action On Financial Irregularities

Bauchi State government has approved the implementation of the white paper on the report of a panel set up to probe alleged abuse of administrative and financial procedures in the state between 2021 and 2024.

The white paper also covers issues relating to unauthorised loans and financial transactions linked to the tenure of the former accountant-general Sa’idu Abubakar during the period under review.

The state government approved the implementation during the State Executive Council (SEC) meeting presided over by Governor Bala Mohammed on Monday.

Speaking to journalists on the outcome of the meeting yesterday, the attorney-general and commissioner for justice, Barr. Hassan El-Yakub, said the report uncovered alleged financial losses running into billions of naira.

El-Yakub stated that the government had approved disciplinary measures, institutional reforms, possible prosecutions, and recovery processes against individuals and institutions found culpable in the report.

“The report uncovered alleged financial losses running into billions of naira, while the government has approved disciplinary measures, reforms, possible prosecutions, and recovery processes against individuals and institutions found culpable,” he said.

The Attorney General further disclosed that the council approved the white paper report on the visitation panel to Sa’adu Zungur University, covering issues related to salaries, pensions, staff unionism, and the administration of the institution, with directives for immediate implementation of key recommendations.

Also speaking at the briefing, the State Chief Economic Adviser to the Governor, Alhaji Yahuza Adamu, said the SEC approved and ratified major policy decisions and infrastructure projects aimed at strengthening governance, improving traditional institutions, recovering public funds, and expanding critical infrastructure across the state.

He disclosed that the council approved an upward review of remuneration for traditional rulers in the state as part of efforts to strengthen traditional institutions for effective community governance.

He said the state government had already provided vehicles, housing, and other support facilities for traditional rulers, adding that the newly approved remuneration package represents an increase of over 300 percent from previous earnings.

Adamu explained that the review covers First Class, Second Class, and Third Class Emirs, District Heads, and Village Heads, noting that some traditional rulers previously earned little or no remuneration before the present administration.

Meanwhile, the Commissioner for Works, Prof. Saul Titus Ketkuka, announced that the Executive Council ratified 19 road and infrastructure projects across the state following due process approvals by the Ministry of Works.

The approved projects include the installation of solar streetlights on newly completed roads around the International Conference Centre and airport corridors, rehabilitation of the Alkaleri Road, upgrading of airfield facilities, rehabilitation of roads leading to Gubi Dam and the treatment plant, as well as the installation of a CAT 2 Instrument Landing System at the Bauchi International Airport.