Bauchi State: Gov. Abubakar freezes govt accounts, slashes own salary

The Bauchi State Governor, Mohammed Abubakar, has directed that all the state government accounts be frozen. Abubakar has also reduced his salary and that of his deputy by 50 per cent.

The governor, who stated this on Monday in his maiden statewide broadcast to the people of Bauchi, pronounced the dissolution of boards of government parastatals, except those of statutory organs.

Abubakar added, “Let me use this opportunity to announce that all government accounts in every bank are hereby frozen. Similarly, all pending financial transactions and institutions and instruments are hereby suspended.

“However, MDAs that are charged with essential services may and can formally apply for waiver from my office.

“I wish to also, formally announce the dissolution of all local government caretaker committees with immediate effect. The respective administrators are directed to hand over all affairs to their Heads of Personnel.”

He added that all resignations from the services of the state government had been suspended.

“As a mark of leadership by example, I hereby offer to reduce the salary to be earned by the Deputy Governor and myself by 50 per cent.

“This is our promise to the people of Bauchi State. This is the bond for which we shall be held to account. This is the commencement of the many years of greatness that await our dear state. This is the path on which we require your fervent prayers, support and contributions,” he said.

Abubakar, who used the occasion to roll-out some of his plans to reposition the state, said he would, in collaboration with a commercial bank, conduct a forensic audit and biometric exercise of all personnel on the payroll of the state to curtail indolence and ghost workers syndrome.

He said, “And to the national monster of corruption with impunity, I wish to categorically state that we will leave no
stone unturned in our resolve to ensuring that every public fund, and indeed property, frittered, away shall be recovered and returned back into the coffers of Bauchi State.

“There shall be no sacred cows in the dealings of this administration when and where sanctions become necessary.”

“We are very much conscious that all these and everything will depend on the overall security situation of our dear state.”