Sen. Umaru Al-Makura, have denied rumours of a rift
between them over alleged inherited debt.
The duo made the clarification at a joint press briefing in
Abuja on Friday following a visit by Sule to Al-Makura, NAN
reports.
“At no time have I stated that there was a debt of over N18
billion taken by Gov. Umaru Al-Makura and that it had
stopped the running of government.
“For the purpose of clarification, I mentioned to stakeholders
during the recent retreat for public office holders that we
should all tighten our belts in view of the expenses ahead
and the reduction in revenue accruing to the state from the
Federation Account.
“I mentioned the need for us to all wake up and improve on
our revenue base in order to continue to prosper as a state.
“I mentioned that currently, we are having some deductions
from our allocation due to the federal government
intervention such as the bailout, which is not peculiar to
Nasarawa State,” the governor said.
According to him, debt in the sense being portrayed implied
taking serviceable facility from banks, both local and foreign
to embark on projects.
“As far as such debts are concerned, there is none taken by
Governor Al-Makura and handed over to this administration.
“You cannot call bailout debt, you cannot call budget
support debt because these are interventions given to states
by the federal government as palliative to be deducted,” Sule
added.
Sule maintained that he had great respect for Al-Makura,
which had not and would not change given his efforts in
developing the state.
On his part, Al-Makura said he considers Sule’s
administration as a continuation of his government because
they share the same values, vision and hope for the state.
“I am saying with every sense of sincerity that I did not go to
any bank to take any loan on behalf of the state government
while in office,” Al-Makura said.
He said those seeking to see himself and Gov. Sule fall
apart should have a rethink.
“We are here to reassure the people of Nasarawa State that
whoever is wishing to see that we have friction with the
current administration in the state is chasing shadow,” Al-
Makura said.
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