Governor Bello- N70bn missing from Niger state account

Niger state governor, Abubakar Bello, says he’s discovered the withdrawal of N70 billion by a few officials of the state.

Bello disclosed that the money, all cash, was withdrawn from two bank accounts of Government House in the state.

The governor said he has constituted a committee to retrieve all the stolen funds of the state.

He made the revelation during a Thursday night broadcast, while announcing the reduction of the state’s ministries from 23 to 14 and the number of permanent secretaries from 54 to 25.

“For example, an examination of only two bank accounts of Government House shows more than N70 billion cash withdrawals by a few officials who must explain the purpose for which the withdrawals were made.

“The operation of the Joint Account was characterised by diversions and misapplications of huge funds, especially those paid to Ward Development Projects and 10km Road Projects,’’ Bello said.

“We are not going to use the poor condition in which we met most institutions in the state as an excuse.

“I have embarked on strategic public sector reforms to strengthen the institutions of governance for the delivery of quality services that will improve the living standard of our people.”