What's even more alarming is that this excessive spending occurred despite the dire poverty situation in these states, with a combined poverty rate of 7.17 million persons.
A recent review of budget performance documents for Jigawa, Katsina, and Kebbi states revealed that these states collectively spent a staggering N3.512 billion on refreshments, meals, and honorarium between January and September 2024.
What's even more alarming is that this excessive spending occurred despite the dire poverty situation in these states, with a combined poverty rate of 7.17 million persons.
Breaking it down further, Jigawa State has 2.46 million poor individuals, Katsina State has 2.80 million, and Kebbi State has an estimated 1.91 million poor persons, according to data from the National Bureau of Statistics.
This raises serious questions about the priorities of these state governments and their commitment to addressing poverty and inequality.
In Jigawa State, refreshment and meals cost N381.9 million, while honorarium and sitting allowances stood at N1.419 billion.
In Kebbi State, refreshment and meals consumed N147.8 million while honorarium and sitting allowances gulped N1.150 billion.
For Katsina State, refreshment and meals gulped N335.6 million while honorarium and sitting allowances expenditure cost N78.2 million.
In Jigawa State, 43% of children of school age lack access to education while it is 45% in Kebbi and 38% in Katsina.
In Jigawa State, 73% of households lack access to sanitary facilities while the percentage is 61% in Katsina and 79% in Kebbi.
According to the NBS data, 39% of households in Katsina lack access to clean drinking water and 68% of households in Kebbi State.
There have been concerns on prudence in the management of funds by states in Nigeria, especially in face of developmental issues and scarcity of funds.
The three states mentioned in this report jointly owe N49 billion domestically and $194 million externally.
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