By Umar Sa’id, Baúchi
The Bauchi State Government has constituted an investigation committee on how the management of funds allocated for the production of fertilizer for the ongoing farming season in the state was handled.
Inaugurating the committee Governor Bala Mohammad represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Aminu Hammayo, at the Government House Bauchi charged the committee to examine all issues surrounding the state-owned fertilizer blending plant.
The committee is tasked with the responsibilities of recovering any misused or unaccounted funds, recommending measures to forestall similar challenges in the future.
The committee to be chaired by the Commissioner for Special Duties and Rural Development Hon. Faruq Mustapha as chairman has the Head of Civil Service Barrister Mohammad Sani Umar; the State Accountant General, Sirajo Muhammad Jaja, the State Auditor General Ishyaku Yankari as members.
Other members are the Chairman of the State Board of Internal Revenue Service Alhaji Mu’azu Usman, the Commissioner for Agriculture Dr. Iliyasu Aliyu Gital while the Permanent Secretary in the Office of the SSG is to serve as the committee’s secretary.
The committee was given two weeks to submit its report to the government for necessary action.
In a related development, the State Government has ordered the delivery of 50 trucks of fertilizer for distribution to farmers across the state, aimed at addressing delays and ensuring that farmers have access to essential inputs during the peak of the farming season.
Speaking with journalists, the Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr. Iliyasu Gital explained that Governor Bala Mohammed took the decision in response to public concerns over the delay in fertilizer sales.
