Governor Ahmed Aliyu of Sokoto State, has warned Local Government (LG) officials who allegedly siphoned N30,000 Sallah gifts meant for workers in the State to return the diverted funds.
Failure to do so, the Governor said, will incure consequences.
The Governor issued the warning on Friday while addressing a large crowd of well-wishers and supporters at the Government House, Sokoto.
This was contained in a statement issued by the Press Secretary to the Governor, Abubakar Bawa, and made available to newsmen.
According to the statement, the Governor expressed dismay over the attitude of some financial officers, especially at the local government level, who denied their staff the N30,000 approved as Sallah gifts by the state government.
“I wonder how somebody would deny our workers the stipends we gave them in order to make them financially stable during the Sallah festive season.
“Those who diverted the funds must return them immediately, or else we will take punitive measures against them.
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“We will ensure that the culprits reap what they sowed to serve as a deterrent to others,” he said.
Aliyu, however, charged all heads of agencies where such corrupt tendencies were perpetrated to hasten the compilation of all the affected workers and ensure that they are refunded.
He also assured the people of the state of his administration’s determination to ensure accountability, transparency, and the prudent management of public funds for the good of all.
“This administration is all out to ensure zero tolerance for corruption and all corrupt tendencies.
“So, if anybody thinks he can loot public funds and get away with it, then he must be sick.
“This administration is a true reflection of the government of the people, for the people, and indeed by the people.
“So, we have a huge task ahead of us that we must carry out diligently without minding whose ox is gored,” he added.
He further called on the people of the State to continue to rally around the present administration in its undying quest to deliver on its campaign promises.
