TheCable

Abubakar Bello, governor of Niger state, has asked Babangida Aliyu, his predecessor, to refund the sum of N2.9 billion which he and his aides allegedly took from the state coffers on the eve of their departure from office.

Bello said he was not out to witch-hunt Aliyu but only interested in getting back the money because it belongs to the people.

“They took this loan on the eve of their departure and as was customary with that administration, they did nothing with the money,” Bello said in a statement released by Ibrahim Dooba, his chief press secretary, on Wednesday.

“You can’t collect a loan on behalf of the people and share it among yourselves. That’s literally what they did. They simply raised a list and allocated money to those on the list.

“The office of the SSG, for example, was given N600 million. The records did not say what he would do with the money. Well, we want our money back. The money belongs to the people.”

The statement added that the present administration had prioritised the needs of the people, saying such looted but recovered funds would be expended on projects.

”Our people need food, shelter, security, roads, water and so forth. For example, the governor wants to start with the provision of potable water and in the coming weeks, we’ll provide water at predictable intervals to Nigerlites.

“On the problem of electricity, we have started an arrangement to rent a power plant from overseas to provide regular electricity before a permanent solution is found.

“Also, Minna-Kataeregi road, Kontagora-Tegina, Minna-Suleja, Bakeko-Katcha, Kaffin-koro, Kuta-Sabon Gari and Maitumbi-Maikunkele roads among others, are receiving urgent attention.”