Yobe ‘government relocates’ to Saudi Arabia
The Secretary to the State Government, Babagoni Machina was more or less the only senior official in the corridors of power left behind in the state. Kanem Trust correspondent reports that government activities have since been brought to a halt with nothing seen to be going on in ministries, the State Assembly and other government […]
The Secretary to the State Government, Babagoni Machina was more or less the only senior official in the corridors of power left behind in the state.
Kanem Trust correspondent reports that government activities have since been brought to a halt with nothing seen to be going on in ministries, the State Assembly and other government establishments whose heads have embarked on what has since become an annual mass exit of government officials to hajj and Umra in Yobe.
Governor Gaidam left Nigeria on Saturday 21st November, 2009 to perform his first hajj as governor even though he once led the Yobe government’s delegation as ameerul hajj while he was deputy to the late Governor Mamman Bello Ali. Gaidam’s deputy left for the hajj days before his boss while commissioners, lawmakers, special advisers and other officials left Nigeria in batches.
The Yobe government has spent over N200 million (going by the minimum hajj fare for this year) to offer 500 free hajj seats to public office holders now in Saudi Arabia. The state’s Commissioner for Information and Home Affairs, Barrister Bala Haladu had confirmed the sponsorship in a statement he signed and issued in Damaturu. Though he did not specify the amount spent, he none the less confirmed that 500 seats were freely given by government as part of its responsibilities to citizens.
Haladu also said that the free seats were approved by the state executive council during one of its regular meetings which is usually presided over by governor Gaidam.
The minimum fare for a slot in this year’s hajj was pegged at N475, 736. 38 by the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria implying that even if the 500 seats paid by the Yobe government were for the minimum seat with $750 as Basic Travelling Allowance, at least N237 million must have been spent. About N512,788.23 with $1000 as BTA and N586, 891.93 with $1,500 as BTA were pegged for the medium and highest seats.
Alhaji Abdullahi Bego, Director of Press to the Governor, told Kenem Trust that “the Chief of Staff, SSG, and Head of Service are all on ground. The governor left shortly before Arafat. Many commissioners are around. The business of government is not grounded.”