From Yakubu Mustapha, Minna
The Niger State House of Assembly has debunked media reports alleging that it approved a fresh $14.4 million (approximately 20.4 billion Naira) loan for Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago’s administration.
The Speaker of the House, Barrister Abdulmalik Sarkin-Daji, cleared the air during a press briefing in Minna, expressing displeasure over misleading media coverage that suggested the legislature had advanced another loan facility to the executive.
Sarkin-Daji explained that the correspondence received from Governor Bago was not a request for a new loan.
Instead, it was a request for the state government to act as a guarantor for the Niger Food Security Systems and Logistics Company (Niger Foods).
The arrangement involves the United Bank for Africa (UBA) and the Saudi EXIM Line of Financing. Under this agreement, the state government will simply serve as a guarantor to help the agricultural company secure an investment facility.
“It is completely untrue that Niger State is taking a fresh loan.
“The state is merely standing as a guarantor between the Saudi EXIM Line and Niger Foods through UBA,” the Speaker stated.
The Speaker disclosed that the secured investment plan is designated strictly for the operational expansion of Niger Foods.
Specifically, the funds will target the development of a 3,000-hectare, fully irrigated farm estate to be situated within the state to boost local food security.
While urging the public to disregard the misleading reports, Sarkin-Daji emphasized that the assembly maintains a meticulous record of all loan facilities granted to the current administration since its inception.
The Speaker urged journalists to always verify facts with the house leadership before publishing financial or legislative reports.
However, he pointed out that the governor is legally permitted to apply for loans through the house if the funds are explicitly meant for state development.
He added that the assembly would never hesitate to approve any genuine, well-intentioned loan request that benefits the people of Niger State.
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