Shehu Sani on Kaduna’s loan request: We need to be convinced

Shehu Sani, senator representing Kaduna central, says no loan request will get approval until the lawmakers were convinced of it.

Sani, who is the chairman of the domestic and foreign debts, said this on Monday while reacting to allegations that he was hindering the state from gaining access to $350 million granted by the World Bank.

Last week, a group took to the streets in Kaduna accusing him of working against the interest of the state.

But the lawmaker told journalists that due process must be followed before any loan is approved.

He said that he has duty to ensure that the state does not inherit a debt it could not repay.

“As a committee, we are committed to doing our job effectively without any form of sentiments or political inclination and we will be guided by the law. We are aware that loan of that magnitude will need to be repayed back in about three to five decades,” the senator said.

“I have a duty to ensure that the next generation don’t inherit debts that they cannot pay, and if debts must be left behind, a commensurate infrastructure to justify such debts must equally be left behind.

“On the long run, names of those asking for the loan, those protesting on the streets will not be seen on the file and those that will use the loan and the contractors will not have their names on the file, but those who approve the loan will have their names on the file.

“In view of this, we must ensure that things are done rightly. We must be convinced beyond reasonable doubt what the funds will be used for. We have approved for some states who have justify reasons for seeking the loan, and about 9 other states are still awaiting approval and their request is still being examined.”

Sani said no amount of intimidation would make him append his signature to anything that is wrong.

“No amount of protest or any form of intimidation can make me to append my signature on anything that is wrong, all requests must follow due process such as verifying the debt profile of the state, whether or not the debt will be a burden on the state among others,” he said.

“We are working on the loan request from the remaining nine states but political considerations will not be part of it. None of the loan request will get approval unless we are convinced of its judicious use. It also involve approval by the house of representatives and it is always publicly done.

“So casting aspersions on my person or sponsoring people to protest against me is certainly not the way to go, the state government and the sponsors of the protest must have a rethink “.