Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has revealed a N50 billion debt owned by the administration of Ibikunle Amosun, the immediate former governor of the state.

Abiodun disclosed that the figures discovered did not capture the entire liabilities the former government left behind

A statement in Abeokuta on Monday, by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr. Kunle Somorin, further disclosed that the financial liabilities incurred are due to unpaid pensions, gratuities and outstanding staff salaries, “which surprisingly were not captured in the books left behind for the new government.”

“We only got to know about this amount in the course of our carrying out due diligence on Ogun State finances shortly after we took over.

“And as a transparent government, committed to being accountable, we had to disclose this for the first time, to give a true picture of the state’s indebtedness,” the statement said.

Somorin noted that “Governor Dapo Abiodun has started paying the retirees and pensioners affected, with the first tranche of N500 million paid to them last month.

“The governor has promised to pay them at least N500 million every quarter, till everyone is paid.

 “The increase in the 2020 total debt of the state was due to an undisclosed gratuity and staff liabilities of about N50billion not recognised in the state financial statements in May 2019 at the end of the previous administration.

“In order to show the complete picture of all state liabilities, the current administration booked the gratuities and staff liabilities in the financial statements of the state, hence the increase. ”

The Governor’s aide restated the commitment of Abiodun’s administration to transparency and accountability in all matters, including finances, while remaining steadfast in the completion of all projects inherited, as well as those initiated by the present government.

“Residents and citizens of the state can attest to how Governor Abiodun is completing all the abandoned projects of his predecessor and commencing signature projects and roads.

“The governor has concentrated on his ‘Building Our Future Together’ with special attention to Infrastructure, Health, Education and Agriculture.

“Also, the welfare and security of the people which are the primary functions of government, are equally on the front-burner”, he stated.