Kano state government has dispelled misconception around foreign debt liability on the state, describing reports as a deliberate attempt by selfish individuals to tarnish the ingenuity of the government to promote infrastructural growth.
The government also refuted the claims that Governor Abba Kabiru Yusuf received a ₦177 billion loan from France, describing the reports as ‘malicious’ and ‘false.’
According to the Director General, Kano State Public Debt Management Office, Hamisu Sadi Ali’, explained that his office was not aware of any fresh loan except the debt burden inherited from immediate past administration.
Ali maintained that under the Kano State Public Debt Management Law of 2021, any borrowing by the government must be managed through the State Debt Management Office and must follow rigorous procedures before it is granted.
He referenced a loan agreement signed in July 2018 by the former All Progressives Congress (APC) government under Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje.
The DG stressed that it was Ganduje that secured a subsidiary loan of €64 million from the French Development Agency for the National Urban Water Sector Reform Project, of which €13 million had already been disbursed.
Ali emphasized that the current government is only focusing on servicing existing debts accumulated by the previous administration under Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje.
“The loan was signed by Ganduje’s administration and that has been the most recent foreign facility contracted by the state. That loan is intended for the provision of affordable water services.
“And that has been taking, this Government since return to power in May 29, 2023, the NNPP administration has not taken any new loans, either domestically or internationally.”
Ali urged the public to disregard what he called “fake news” from media outlets while called for more responsible reporting.
“The public should kindly ignore this fabricated report. Journalism should be a deeply investigative venture, not a tool for spreading non-factual, fabricated stories,” Ali said.