Transparency Group Cautions Katsina State Government

All has not been very well in many states across the nation since may 29 handover especially in states witnessing change in the ruling political parties. Katsina State seem to be in the front burner of these kerfuffles with regards to the recent happenings in the state where His Excellency Aminu Masari - The Executive Governor of the state is reported to have written to the Katsina State House of Assembly to probe the former Aide De Camp (ADC) to the immediate past Governor of the state - Dr. Ibrahim Shema. In reaction to this and what the Executive Director/ Coordinator of Katsina Transparency Collective (A Katsina base Civil Society) Mallam Kabir Umar Bishir identifies as otiose witch-hunting of officials of the past administration the civil society expressed its displeasure through its leader saying "It is regrettable to note that The Gov. Aminu Masari led administration seems to have nothing to offer. This ostensibly precipitates his resort to intimidate and coerce junior Government officials of the past administration with view to witch-hunt them by all means. And this is a calculated effort to smear the impeccable track records, outstanding pedigree and to besmirch the integrity of the past administrations. But let us not forget that Katsina State Government under Dr. Ibrahim Shema distinguished itself in many areas some of which include the following:

* That Shema ensured the prompt payment of salaries on 22nd/23rd of every month without failing from 2007 to May 2015,

* Ordered the release of 8.5 Billion Naira to the Local Government Councils on 22nd of May 2015 from the state account which Masari malignantly froze.

* And that Shema left about Four Billion Naira in the state treasury (when many state were and are still struggling to pay salaries).

Be that as it may, all these were successfully achieved without borrowing a single dime locally or internationally. In fact, whoever claims that Katsina State under Dr. Shema ever borrowed money from any financial institution should tender any convincing evidence of when and where the money was borrowed as well as the amount and if possible - what it was used for. And in the absence of these explanations we make bold to state that such allegations will forever remain a fiction of malice and nothing pretentious more... " he averred.

Adding to this, the secretary Hajia Zainab Gambo decried the disunity and bad blood that these may be brewing in a state where everyone should be living like one family. According to her "It is unfortunate that His Excellency has decided to discontinue the free education policy, and payment of WEAC, NECO and NEBTEB for our children, still we respectfully use this medium to strongly advise His Excellency Gov. Aminu Masari to concentrate on people oriented programmes and policies that will better the lives of the Katsina People in lieu of mortgaging his oath of office and responsibilities. Hence, this organization shall continue to closely and keenly watch the governance and leadership style of Gov. Aminu Masari in Katsina state for the next four years even as we pray this season that Allah continues to bless Katsina. Believe me, Katsina people are watching."