The 2-day visit, on Thursday and Friday of last week, by President Buhari to Kaduna State of Nigeria, may have cost the local government councils some princely sum.
A document currently in circulation, suggests that the state government encouraged 11 of the 23 local governments in the state, to contribute N10 million each, to provide additional security for the visit.
Dated January 19, 2022, and signed by the Director Inspectorate, on behalf of the Commissioner for Local Government Affairs, Iliyasu Hussaini, government requested the 11 LGAs to contribute N10 million each, “to cater for additional security support to security agencies and logistics” during the President’s visit.
The memo was addressed to the council chairmen of Jama’a, Kaura, Zangon Kataf, Chikun, Kaduna North, Kaduna South, Igabi, Zaria Sabon Gari, Giwa and Soba, and titled: “APPROVAL TO PROVIDE SECURITY TOWARDS THE PRESIDENT’S VISIT.”
“You are requested to ensure strict compliance with budgetary provisions, financial rules and regulations on the expenditure, please.”
In his reaction, Commissioner for Local Government Affairs, Dr. Shehu Makarfi, stated: “It was as approved for the relevant LG that applied for logistics, security, youth and community mobilization and media advert, adding that only those who had the funds were allowed to spend the money.
“It was approved as the maximum they should spend from their fund. And only those, who have the fund are allowed to do so. The second page carried the details,” the commissioner explained.
There was tight security in Kaduna during the president’s visit, with heavily armed security personnel deployed to strategic locations, while helicopters were deployed for aerial surveillance.
