Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf’s administration in Kano state has pledged to maintain transparency and accountability in managing funds obtained from International Donor Agencies (IDAs) for public projects.
Emphasizing a zero-tolerance policy towards the misappropriation and theft of public funds, the administration has warned that any public official found guilty of such acts will face immediate sanctions.
During a keynote address at a three-day workshop titled “Effective Utilization of International Development Funds, Ensuring Value for Money Towards Achieving International Funded Projects Deliverables in Kano State,” Governor Abba, represented by his chief of staff, Shehu Sagagi, outlined the administration’s expectations.
The workshop, which began on Monday in Kano’s commercial hub, aimed to educate public officials responsible for implementing state and IDA-funded projects about the prudent use of these borrowed funds.
Governor Abba expressed satisfaction with the growing interest from IDAs in funding public projects in the state.
He committed to closing any loopholes that could lead to the misappropriation or misapplication of these funds.
“We are pleased to be here on behalf of His Excellency, Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, to inaugurate this crucial workshop. The goal is to ensure that government officials managing international public funds understand that these are borrowed resources that require strict accountability,” said Sagagi.
He emphasized the governor’s urgency in commissioning projects funded by these monies, urging officials to work diligently to deliver them successfully.
The administration is dedicated to the effective use of these funds and will not tolerate any form of mismanagement or corruption in their disbursement.
“Anyone caught mismanaging these funds will face prompt sanctions. To prevent mismanagement, we plan to attach auditors to each project financed by these funds. We also encourage IDAs to report any discrepancies directly to the Governor or the Chief of Staff’s office,” Sagagi added.
Abdulkadir Abdulsalam, the Accountant General of Kano State, provided further insights into the workshop.
He noted that it brought together top government officials and representatives from development partners, including the World Bank, African Development Bank, French Development Agency, Islamic Development Bank, and International Fund for Agricultural Development.
The workshop focused on key state projects in areas such as infrastructure, agriculture, economic empowerment, healthcare, education, and rural community development, implemented in collaboration with IDAs. It also addressed issues like project delays, financial management, sustainability, and community engagement.
By the end of the workshop, participants aimed to identify and tackle critical challenges in project implementation and develop a strategic roadmap for the state’s future development.
