How Tinubu’s fiscal policies freed states from bank borrowing-Governor Sule

Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State, has declared that states across the federation are no longer reliant on bank loans to fund their projects, commending President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s resource management strategy for this new era of financial independence.

Governor Sule made the declaration on Friday, while receiving the Federal House of Representatives Committee on Health Services, led by its Chairman, Hon. Amos Magaji Gwamna, who were in the state for an oversight function on the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund.

The Governor disclosed that a bank recently approached his administration offering a significant loan at the Central Bank’s interest rate for a major project, an offer he promptly declined.

“They said, ‘Why is it that no state wants to borrow?’ I love the statement,” the Governor told the committee. “I said because every state is appreciative of the President. Every opportunity that I have, I say that. I don’t say that because I am an APC person. I say that because it is the reality on the ground.”

He attributed this unprecedented financial stability directly to President Tinubu’s decision to channel resources directly to subnational governments following the removal of the fuel subsidy.

“He said the money should go to the individual subnationals, every state, and every local government. And then we will hold you responsible for managing the resources,” Governor Sule explained. “That is the reason today why you see states managing without borrowing anything from anybody.”

The Governor recalled previous subsidy removal schemes, stating, “When Asiwaju did his own, that is when there is real money. Because all those times there wasn’t much money… But they were able to manage the resources prudently.”

According to him, all the work being executed by his administration were done without borrowing anything from anybody.

“Every work that you have seen that we have done in Nasarawa State, we did not borrow one naira to do them. But the credit doesn’t just go down to A. A Sule and his administration. We must commend President Ahmed Bola Tinubu for what he is doing as far as managing resources is concerned,” he said.

While welcoming the committee’s findings and recommendations, Governor Sule advocated for a stricter system similar to that of the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) in order ensure compliance with the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund.

“I think part of your recommendation is to say that any state that wants funding must pay the counterpart fund first. I think if you make that kind of recommendation, every state will take it more seriously” he stated.

He commended members of the House of Representatives Committee on Health for undertaking the oversight, adding that the gesture is a break from the past where such exercises were done not for the purpose of reforms.

“I believe your committee has done a thorough job. What I had heard in the past is that we have looked, and everything looks good. What I love to hear is that we have gone around, seen some good things that you have done but we have seen some areas that need some improvement and strengthening. I think that is exactly what you have done. Because there is no way we could have done everything right. There must be somewhere we must improve in. I think we have taken the corrections,” he said.

Leader of the delegation and Chairman, Federal House of Representatives Committee on Health Services, Hon. Amos Magaji Gwamna, praised Governor Sule for the state’s healthcare delivery while calling for the proper utilisation of the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund nationwide.

Gwamna said the committee was in the state to carry out oversight on how the fund is being managed across the states.

“We are here as members of the committee on healthcare services and to oversight the basic healthcare provision fund. As you are aware, the basic healthcare provision fund took effect from 2020, with the mandate to strengthen the health system, especially at the grassroots level in Nigeria. Since its implementation, no committee has oversighted the processes, disbursement, and utilisation of the funds. We deem it fit to move around to see what is happening and to see the lessons we will learn from this,” he said.

He said the committee visited several primary healthcare centres in the state, adding that even though there were areas where the state is doing well, there are other areas that require strengthening.

The committee chairman commended Governor Sule for transforming Nasarawa State within the period he assumed office.

“We have to commend you for the good work you have done here. When we entered the secretariat, many people said Nasarawa is working. There has been a remarkable transformation in Nasarawa State. We believe that with that step and what you have done, you have repositioned and realigned Nasarawa State to be one of the greatest states in the North and, of course, Nigeria.

“We have not only seen an organised environment, but we have also noticed an organised civil service. We could see excellence exhibited, and then the way things are being conducted here, you have done great work transforming the state. Not only the environment but also the civil service,” he added.