By; SULAIMAN AHMED MISAU, Katsina
Katsina State Government has only received two billion Naira from the federal government for procurement of palliatives to the people of the state, not five billion Naira as being speculated, the state Commissioner of Information and Culture Dr Bala Salisu Zango has said.
Briefing journalists at General Muhammadu Buhari (Government) House, Katsina, Dr Salisu Zango explained that, the state government has already used the two billion Naira released by the Federal Government which was the first tranch on the procurement of forty (40,000) thousand bags of rice. The press briefing which was Coordinated by the Director General (DG) Media to Governor, Dikko Umaru Radda, Malam Mai wada Danmalam, also has the Permanent Secretary of the state Ministry of Information, Alhaji Rabi’u Mahuta in attendance. However, the Katsina State Commissioner of Information, Dr Bala Zango revealed that, the initial arrangement was for the federal government to procure maize, rice and fertilizer worth five billion Naira to each state of the federation. Consequently, Dr. Salisu Bala Zango said the states insisted on direct release of the funds to stimulate local economy and ease distribution process and other logistics.
Dr Bala Zango emphasized that,the money released through the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) as a Soft loan, would attract fifty two Percent (52%) subsidy living the states to pay only forty eight Percent (48%) in twelve months. Dr Zango said, hence, “the Governor, Malam Dikko Umaru Radda gave the earlier directives to all authorities of the thirty four (34) local governments in the state to procure and distribute their consignment of rice and maize to people of their respective areas.” Dr Salisu Bala Zango warned that, “anyone found wanting orpurchasing damaged grains by any local government area, the state government is prepared to take appropriate action on any council chairman found guilty of such act.”
