The Governor of Jigawa State, Umar Namadi, has suspended his Commissioner for Commerce, Aminu Kanta, over allegations of fraud in the Ramadan Feeding Programme run by the state government.
Kanta, who comes from Babura Local Government Area, has been told to step aside while an investigation into the Iftar feeding programme in his area is carried out, News About Nigeria reports.
The suspension was announced in a statement signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Bala Ibrahim, and released by the SSG’s spokesperson, Sama’ila Ibrahim.
According to the statement, this action is part of the government’s efforts to make sure that public money is used properly and responsibly.
“The governor directed the issuance of suspension in a letter, conveyed by the Secretary to the Jigawa State Government, Malam Bala Ibrahim.
“The Commissioner was suspended for alleged involvement in mismanagement of the Iftar Feeding Programme Fund in Babura Local Government Area. The suspension is with immediate effect,” the spokesperson said.
Reports suggest that Mr. Kanta has been accused of taking control of the feeding programme in Babura LGA, but the food was rarely provided at the planned places.
Initially, the Jigawa State Government had set aside N2.8 billion for the programme to offer meals to poor and vulnerable people in the state.
However, the government later reduced the amount to N1.3 billion.
The programme aims to serve 182,700 poor and vulnerable people daily through 609 feeding centres, providing three different food items.
Several state governments have allocated funds to provide meals for the less privileged during this period. In Kano, the government announced an investment of N1.97 billion in the programme.
