I spent N1.2bn only on funeral not N2.3bn – Ex-governor Abubakar

The Bauchi state former governor said this in reaction to allegation that his administration spent N2.3 billion on funerals – According to the former governor, every contract on the funeral ceremonies was subjected to the scrutiny and appraisal of the due process agency Former governor of Bauchi state, Mohammed Abubakar, has denied spending N2.3 billion on funeral materials.
He said he only spent N1.2 billion. The former governor who disclosed this through Mukhtar Jibril, his media aide, said he inherited the practice of buying funeral materials from his predecessors due to its impact on the people. Going further, the former governor insisted that the purchases passed through “due process” and awarded to qualified contractors.
In response to media reports on the issue of mahogany and shrouds procured for burials, we want to state that this is a practice inherited by the government of Abubakar from its predecessors. Considering its significance and impact on the people, especially the bereaved, it decided to continue with it. “However, the project, like any other of the same magnitude, was awarded to qualified contractors. Based on the available verifiable record, N1,270,743,520 had been expended since its inception and not the exaggerated figure of N2.3 billion mischievously posted on the social media by critics.
“We urge the good people of the state to disregard this insinuation and act of desperation by elements of retrogression. ”Besides, every contract awarded was subjected to the scrutiny and appraisal of the due process agency in accordance with public procurement law, contract agreement, payment of tax due on such contracts and other requirements,” he said.
Recalled that THE OBSERVERS TIMES had reported that Bauchi state governor, Senator Bala Mohammed, alleged that his predecessor Abubakar spent a whopping sum of N2.3 billion to buy materials for burying dead bodies in the state.
The governor made the allegation through his spokesperson, Dr. Ladan Salihu, in an interview with newsmen in Bauchi over the weekend, stressing that the said funds were spent between January and May 2019.