Ogun Governor Dapo Abiodun has stated the handover note given to him by his predecessor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, did not capture the entire liabilities left behind.
Abiodun said his administration inherited N50billion in financial liabilities from Amosun, which were largely unaccounted for in the financial report handed over to him.
The Governor, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary Mr Kunle Somorin, alleged the omitted amount N50bn was financial liabilities incurred by Amosun’s administration 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.
“Governor Dapo Abiodun has started paying the retirees and pensioners affected with the first tranche of N500million paid to them last month.
*Every quarter the governor has promised to pay them at least N500million until everyone is paid.”
While noting the recent report by the Debt Management Office (DMO) on the state’s domestic debt, the statement said the omitted figures by the immediate past administration in the state had an impact on the DMO report.
Abiodun reiterated his administration’s commitment to transparency and accountability in all matters while remaining steadfast in the completion of all projects inherited as well as those initiated by the present government.