APC to Scrutinise Kano Government’s Use of N3 Billion Flood Relief Fund

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kano State has announced its intention to closely monitor how the state government utilises the N3 billion released by the Federal Government to address the devastating flood disasters that have recently impacted the state.

The funds were part of a nationwide relief initiative aimed at mitigating the effects of floods, which have ravaged communities, displaced residents, and destroyed property across Kano and other states.

Alhaji Abdullahi Abbas, Chairman of the APC in Kano, made the party’s stance clear during a press briefing in Kano on Sunday.

He emphasised that the APC is determined to ensure that the state government, currently led by the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), exercises full transparency in the management and distribution of the funds.

Abbas expressed concerns that past instances of mismanagement of relief materials cast doubt on the ability of the current government to utilise the funds effectively.

The APC Chairman cited recent allegations of mismanagement involving relief materials, including the diversion of food supplies that were meant for vulnerable communities.

Abbas specifically referred to the alleged diversion of 130 trucks of food, allocated to Kano State by the Federal Government, which he claimed were appropriated for selfish interests by some officials in the NNPP administration.

According to Abbas, these actions undermine the Federal Government’s well-intentioned efforts to reduce hunger and alleviate the suffering of the people affected by the flood disaster.

He argued that such diversion of resources not only exacerbates the challenges faced by flood victims but also calls into question the integrity of those in charge of managing state resources.

“The APC in Kano will not sit idly by while the NNPP government frustrates the Federal Government’s efforts to assist the people of Kano,” Abbas stated.

He stressed that President Bola Tinubu had approved several palliative measures aimed at helping poor households and vulnerable individuals, but the distribution of these palliatives had been marred by corruption and diversion.

The APC has pointed fingers at several senior officials within the NNPP government, accusing them of being complicit in the misappropriation of relief materials.

Abbas specifically mentioned the Managing Director of the Kano State Agricultural Supply Company (KASCO), Dr Tukur Dayyabu Minjibir, accusing him of selling grains meant for state distribution to those in need.

This accusation follows widespread reports of palliatives and relief materials being sold or redirected for personal gain, rather than being distributed to the victims of the flood disaster.

Abbas warned that the APC would not tolerate such behaviour moving forward, especially in relation to the N3 billion flood relief fund.

He vowed that the party would act as a watchdog to ensure that the funds are used exclusively for the intended purpose of alleviating the impact of the floods on the affected communities.

“We will ensure that no one takes advantage of this crisis to enrich themselves while the people suffer,” he added.

To further safeguard the distribution of relief materials and ensure transparency, Abbas revealed that the Federal Government had constituted a special committee to oversee the equal and fair distribution of palliatives in Kano State.

The committee is led by the Deputy Senate President, Senator Barau Jibril, who hails from Kano and has been tasked with ensuring that the relief funds and materials reach the intended beneficiaries without interference or diversion.

Abbas expressed confidence in the committee’s ability to oversee the process effectively, noting that the presence of a high-ranking official from Kano in charge of the operation would help restore trust in the distribution of federal relief efforts.

He called on all stakeholders, including the state government, to cooperate fully with the committee to ensure a transparent and fair process.

The APC’s decision to closely monitor the handling of the N3 billion flood relief fund has further heightened political tensions between the party and the NNPP-led government in Kano State.

The state, which has been a battleground for political rivalry between the two parties, is now seeing its political landscape influenced by issues of governance, transparency, and accountability in the wake of the flood disaster.

For the APC, the scrutiny of the flood relief fund is an opportunity to hold the NNPP government accountable, while also positioning itself as the protector of Kano’s vulnerable population.

However, for the NNPP, the accusations represent an attempt by the opposition to undermine its efforts and create political instability.

As the relief efforts continue, all eyes will be on Kano State to see how the funds are managed and whether the accusations of mismanagement will be addressed by the state government.

The outcome of these efforts may well shape the political discourse in the state ahead of future elections.