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Zamfara Was in Total Mess — Gov Lawal Opens Up on Reforms, Debt
Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal says he inherited a state in total disarray, plagued by insecurity, debt, and neglect in key sectors like education, health, and water supply, but insists his administration is working to turn things around.
Speaking on Arise TV on Monday, Lawal described the situation he met as “a mess in every aspect of life,” adding that the scale of decay spurred him to declare a state of emergency in education and healthcare.
“There wasn’t a single drop of water for five months when I assumed office, and we fixed that in three days,” he said.
The governor revealed that he took over a treasury with just N4 million, saddled with massive debt and unpaid obligations, including four and a half months of salaries, billions owed to WAEC, NECO, and the judiciary.
“WAEC was owed N1.6 billion, NECO another N1.4 billion. Pension arrears dating back to 2011 stood at N16.5 billion. I’ve cleared that. Every civil servant owed pensions since 2011 has now been paid,” Lawal said.
He also disclosed that civil servants were earning as low as N7,000 monthly, which he raised first to N30,000, and now to N70,000 minimum wage.
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In education, Lawal said over 400 schools have been fully renovated and furnished across the state’s 40 local government areas. He also highlighted efforts to restore confidence in the sector by settling WAEC and NECO debts and supporting Zamfara students studying abroad.
On security, the governor acknowledged improvements but said challenges remain.
“Before, you’d hear of 100 or 200 people killed in a day. Now, those reports are rare,” he said, adding that his administration has launched its own local security outfit to help tackle rural banditry.
Responding to a recent report of abductions in Tsafe, he said the numbers were likely exaggerated. “Yes, there was an incident, but I don’t believe 60 people were kidnapped. That’s not accurate,” he said.
Lawal maintained that the current progress is just the beginning. “We’re changing the story of Zamfara, from hopelessness to a state where progress and security are possible.”
