Zamfara has not taken any loan since 2023 – Finance Commissioner

The present administration in Zamfara under Gov. Dauda Lawal has not collected a single loan from any local or international financial institution since its inception in 2023.

Muhammad-Bello Auta, Commissioner for Finance in the state, disclosed this in Gusau on Thursday at the presentation of the 2025 Citizens Accountability Reports of the state.

The event was organised by the State Ministry of Finance and featured participants from traditional and religious leaders, NGOs, CSOs, MDAs, the media, among others.

Mr Auta, represented by the Accountant-General of the state, Ali-Akilu Muhammad, maintained that Gov. Dauda Lawal, since his assumption of office as governor of the state, had not taken any domestic or external loans.

“This is part of the present administration’s commitment to ensure transparency and accountability in governance,” he said.

He noted that the essence of the Citizens Accountability Reports was to review the incomes and expenditures of government.

“This is to explain the incomes we received and how we utilised the money, to encourage transparency in financial management.

“That is why we encourage the citizens to participate and know the actual government’s spending on people-oriented projects,” the governor noted.

According to him, Zamfara, like other states, received additional money from the Federal Government as a result of the removal of fuel subsidy.

“In Zamfara, the additional subsidy money is being utilised judiciously under Gov. Lawal’s administration.

“I think every citizen of the state is aware of the rapid development we have recorded in Zamfara within three years of the present administration,” he added.

He further said that in 2025, a total of N325.9 billion was collected by the state, and the sources of funds were FAAC allocation, grants, Internally Generated Revenue, taxes and other capital receipts.

“Out of the money, 32 per cent was spent on payment of salaries, pensions and gratuities, while over 50 per cent was spent on capital projects across education, health, security, among others.

“Our expenditure covers 80 per cent of the income,” he explained.

The commissioner further said that the cost of managing insecurity remains the major project taking the largest share of Zamfara government’s income.

Despite the huge spending on security, the present administration executed a large number of projects across the state in education, healthcare, urban renewal and empowerment, including in the state capital and the 14 Local Government Areas of the state.

He assured of the state government’s commitment to ensuring transparency and accountability in governance.

The Acting Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Finance, Sani Marafa, said the gathering was aimed at ensuring inclusion and open governance.

“This is to ensure citizens’ participation as regards financial management and community-based financial services in the state.

“I want to appreciate the development partners for supporting the state government’s policies on accountability,” he added.

Mr Auta called on the participants to take advantage of the session in order to encourage government to enhance service delivery.

Also speaking, the State Auditor-General, Abubakar Danmaliki, commended Gov. Lawal’s administration for giving his office the opportunity to operate independently without interference.

He said the audit was not to witch-hunt anybody but to ensure transparency and accountability for the betterment of the state.

“The constitutional duty of my office is to ensure that every single kobo spent by the Zamfara government is accounted for.

“Recently, I presented the Auditor-General’s Report of the state for the year 2025. We noticed some challenges on remittance by some MDAs,” he explained.

The permanent secretary called on MDAs to continue to adhere to financial policies and guidelines in line with international standards.

In their separate remarks, various participants and stakeholders at the event commended the present administration in the state for executing various community-based projects across the state.

NAN