Katsina gov, Shema, to hand over N4bn to successor

Ibrahim Shema, outgoing governor of Katsina state, says he would leave N4 billion in the state treasury for the incoming administration.

Shema made the disclosure when he received management staff of the Federal University, Dutsin-ma in Katsina on Thursday.

He said before handing over, he would release N8.5 billion to the 34 local government councils in the state to continue with projects implementation.

The governor further said his administration has spent N55 billion in completing projects inherited from the late President Umar ‘Yar’adua’s administration during his tenure as governor in 2007.

He listed some of the projects inherited and completed as the Umar Musa ‘Yar’adua University, Katsina, the Katsina Airport, and Turai ‘Yar’adua Child and Maternal Hospital, among others.

Shema said when he assumed office in 2007, the state was receiving N2.8 billion from the federation account, out of which, N1.2 billion was used for payment of salaries.

He said  from N132 million, his administration improved the state monthly internally generated revenue (IGR) to one billion naira monthly.

However, he expressed regrets that the IGR dropped by N300 million from January to April 2015.

The governor said he was unhappy that the Lambar Rimi Windmill Power project was not completed during his time in office.

Bello Masari, former speaker of the house of the representatives, will take over from Shema on May 29.