Gov. Muhammad Badaru of Jigawa on Wednesday said that his administration spent N200 million in the last 11 months on security matters in the state as against N1.8 billion spent by the previous administration.
Badaru disclosed this when he received the members of Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA) in Dutse.
He explained that the reduction was made in 11 months’ expenditure on security in the state.
Badaru said that with the current challenge posed by the dwindling economy, the state had no choice than to cut cost in all government’s expenditure without compromising quality.
“The immediate past administration spent N1.8 billion in 11 months on security in the state while I spent N200 million on the same issue within the same period.
“For the 2015 hajj, my administration spent N280 million as against N780 million spent in 2014 by the previous administration and we got a better result,” he said.
The governor, who was a former president of NACCIMA, said that it would have been tough for him to run the state at this critical period.
He, however, said that he had to fall back on his background and experience as a one-time member of NACCIMA.
The governor said that since he assumed office, the Federal Government’s monthly allocation accrued to the state had been declining.
Badaru stated that with the development, his government had no option than to invest in agriculture, mining and industry for the sustainability of the state.
Earlier, the NACCIMA national president, Dr Bassey Edem, who led the team, lauded Badaru for his achievements as a governor in the last 11 months.
Edem said that the governor’s achievements in agriculture, industry, skills’ acquisition, poverty alleviation and primary healthcare were worthy of commendation.
He disclosed that members of NACCIMA were in the state for their 56th annual conference. (NAN)