The Zamfara State Government has dismissed claims that it allocated N19.3 billion for purchasing kitchen equipment in 2024, labeling the reports as fake news intended to mislead the public.
On Tuesday, an online platform reported that a review of the Zamfara State budget performance document indicated a budget of N19.3 billion for kitchen and canteen equipment for the 2024 fiscal year. During a press briefing in Gusau, the state capital, Commissioner for Budget and Planning, Mallam Abdulmalik Gajam, expressed disappointment in the misleading report.
Gajam clarified that the N19.3 billion budgeted under the Ministry of Education falls under capital expenditure and includes a range of projects. "The news platform that peddled the fake news pushed half-baked statistics, omitting vital information from the complete budget performance document," he stated.
He detailed that the budget encompasses various educational initiatives such as the AGILE program, construction of zonal primary schools, provision of smart primary schools in Gusau, procurement of kitchen utensils for all government schools for N40 million, construction of a teachers training center, and the creation of a teachers development funding scheme. "All these put together constitute the N19.3 billion," Gajam explained.
The commissioner emphasized that Governor Daudu Lawal’s administration is committed to reducing the abuse of public funds and blocking financial leakages.
