I inherited N4m, huge debts from Matawalle – Zamfara Gov

The Governor of the state of Zamfara, Dauda Lawal, said he had inherited an almost empty treasure and paralyzing the debts when he hired his predecessor, Belo Matawalle.

Speaking during an interview on Arise TV on Monday, Lawal described Zamfara’s condition as a “complete disorder” between the sectors, with an educational system in bankruptcy, collapsed health care, widespread insecurity and a mountain of financial liabilities.

“When I assumed the position of governor, the state of Zamfara was in disorder in every aspect of life: safety at the highest levels, education and health care basically, the almost non -existent human development capacity,” he said.

Lawal revealed that he had only met N4 million in the state coffers in the midst of a backlog of debts, including four and a half months of unpaid wages, n1.6 billion due to the judiciary, n1.6 billion at the Council of West Africa exams (Waec) and N1.4 billion for the National Exam Council (Neco)

“The liabilities were incredible. There was nothing in our treasure. The registers are there,” he said.

According to the Governor, one of his first actions was to free the backward and negotiate with the exam bodies to ensure that Zamfara’s students could sit for the exams and recover their certificates.

Lawal also complained about the poor remuneration of public employees under the previous administration, affirming,

“The salary of an official in the state of Zamfara was of N7.000, only N7.000 in the whole state and in local governments. I had to raise it to the minimum wage of n30,000.”

He added that his government has now increased the minimum wage to N70.000.

To pension backward, Lawal revealed that the N16.5 billion was due to retirees since 2011, that his administration had completely canceled since last month.

As part of the efforts to renew the education sector, Lawal has declared a state of emergency in the sector and has undertaken holistic reforms.

“When I declared an emergency in education, it was to be holistic. We renewed over 400 schools – reduced and furnished – for all 40 local local governments,” he said.

The governor added that the scholarships have been paid, including those of the students who study in Sudan and India, while efforts are underway to solve those of Cyprus.

On security, Lawal said that although Zamfara still has sporadic attacks, there has been a significant improvement.

“In the past, we were feeling that 100 or 200 people were killed daily, but you don’t feel almost now,” he observed.

Commenting on the recent attack on Tsafe, Lawal said: “Yes, there was an accident in Tsafe, but I’m trying to check the number. I don’t think they are up to 60 people who have been kidnapped. No, it’s not correct.”

He added that the state had created his own security dress, which was recording progress in facing Banditry.

“Things are changing for the better,” he concluded.

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