In a revealing interview on Channels Television’s “Politics Today,” Henry Marah, Chairman of the Kaduna State House of Assembly Ad Hoc Committee, detailed the alleged extensive corruption and mismanagement during former Governor Nasir El-Rufai’s administration.
Marah disclosed that about 60% of fully funded projects were abandoned, highlighting a deep-rooted culture of fraud that plagued the state government.
“From the day the committee was set up,” Marah began, “the then Speaker of the House of Assembly said they forged his signature on some documents without his knowledge, and he was not aware of some of the loans they took. It was a government immersed in corruption.”
Marah elaborated on the extent of the malfeasance, indicating that while El-Rufai himself might not have been directly involved in every fraudulent act, the corruption flourished under his leadership, facilitated by his close associates. This systemic issue led to significant financial irregularities that deeply impacted Kaduna State.
Marah pointed out the lack of transparency in the administration’s financial dealings. “There is no day you will see that there is resolution on some of these debts,” he stated. “There is no resolution passed on the floor of the House, and what that means is that the House is not aware of the transactions.”
He revealed that El-Rufai’s administration took out loans amounting to $758 million, despite inheriting zero debt when El-Rufai assumed office. This massive borrowing, coupled with the abandonment of over 60% of the initiated projects, has left a significant burden on the state.
Marah emphasized the long-term consequences of this mismanagement. “When you come to Kaduna and see numerous abandoned projects, you will have no choice but to ask questions,” he said. The unfinished projects stand as stark reminders of the funds misappropriated and opportunities squandered, with Marah estimating that it would take the state over 20 years to complete the projects left behind.
The interview underscores the need for accountability and transparency in governance. Marah’s revelations about the El-Rufai administration’s alleged corruption highlight the importance of thorough investigations and legislative oversight to prevent such extensive mismanagement in the future.
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