by Emmanuel Kaboshio-Bagudu
The Executive Chairman of Zango-Kataf Local Government Area, Kaduna State, Joseph Bege Gaiya, has dismissed a Sahara Reporters story alleging that the Uba Sani administration is diverting local government allocations. Gaiya described the report as as “false, malicious, and politically motivated.”
According to the Council Boss, Kaduna State councils receive their statutory allocations and continue to meet key obligations, including salaries, pensions, and gratuities.
“No council is being denied funds as mischievously portrayed,” Gaiya said.
He described as unrealistic the claim that councils operate on only N25 million monthly, noting that Zango-Kataf’s wage bill alone exceeds N300 million.
“If councils are left with only N25 million as claimed, how do they pay salaries? In Zango-Kataf alone, our wage bill is over N300 million, aside from operational and administrative costs,” he stated.
The chairman said many councils inherited huge liabilities from past administrations. In Zango-Kataf, he recalled that deductions were made under what was termed the “riot act” even during periods of banditry and communal clashes, limiting support for internally displaced persons and infrastructure.
He added that the current administration under Governor Uba Sani has assisted in offsetting outstanding debts dating back to 2012, enabling councils to resume developmental projects.
“No local government in the state is being crippled financially as portrayed in the report. Councils are functioning and executing projects across their communities,” Gaiya said.
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