The Bauchi State Government has commenced processes to recover billions of naira allegedly lost through financial irregularities and unauthorized transactions uncovered by an investigative panel set up by Governor Bala Mohammed.
The decision was part of resolutions reached at the State Executive Council meeting held at the Government House, Bauchi, where key policy and infrastructure approvals were also ratified.
Briefing journalists after the meeting, the Chief Economic Adviser to the Governor, Alhaji Yahuza Adamu, said the council approved a series of governance reforms aimed at strengthening accountability and public administration.
Speaking on the outcome of the investigations, the Commissioner for Justice and Attorney General, Barrister Hassan El-Yakub, disclosed that the council adopted most recommendations contained in two separate white paper reports submitted before the executive council.
He explained that one of the reports emanated from an investigative panel constituted to probe alleged abuse of administrative and financial procedures linked to the office of the former Accountant General between 2021 and 2024.
According to him, the panel uncovered alleged financial losses running into billions of naira arising from unauthorized loans and questionable transactions.
The Attorney General stated that government had approved recovery measures, disciplinary actions, institutional reforms and possible prosecution of individuals and organizations found culpable in the alleged infractions.
He added that the council also approved the white paper on the visitation panel to Sa’adu Zungur University, particularly on issues concerning salaries, pensions, staff unionism and institutional administration.
Meanwhile, the council approved an upward review of remuneration for traditional rulers across the state.
Yahuza Adamu said the new package covers First, Second and Third Class Emirs, District Heads and Village Heads, noting that some traditional rulers previously received little or no remuneration.
He said the package represents over 300 percent increase in earnings and forms part of government’s effort to strengthen traditional institutions for effective community governance.
The Executive Council also ratified 19 road and infrastructure projects across the state.
Commissioner for Works, Professor Saul Titus Ketkuka, said the projects include solar street lighting around the International Conference Centre and airport corridors, rehabilitation of Alkaleri road, upgrade of airfield facilities, rehabilitation of roads leading to Gubi Dam and installation of CAT 2 Instrument Landing System at the Bauchi International Airport.
