Bauchi State shells out N96m to buy horses for its six emirate councils despite hard economic times

BAUCHI State has shelled out N96m (£228,360) on the purchase of horses for the six emirate councils in the state as part of a government plan to uphold local traditions despite the unfavourable economic environment.

Like most of Nigeria's 36 states, Bauchi is facing a severe cash crunch at the moment, owing its civil servants salary arrears and struggling to make ends meet in the face of low crude oil prices. With the amount of money the state is getting from the federal government down due to falling revenue, Bauchi State, like many others in Nigeria is having to put capital projects on hold.

However, despite this, the Bauchi State commissioner for local government affairs, Nasurudeen Mohammed, said the emirate councils that benefitted from this recent gesture included Bauchi, Misau, Misau, Dass, Jamare and Ningi. According to Mr Mohammed, who said that his ministry is responsible for coordinating the activities of the 20 local governments in the state, the gesture was as a result of the request from the emirate councils.

He added: “Ninety-six million naira was expanded by this administration in the last two years for the purchase of horses to six emirate councils to maintain the tradition and culture of the state.”

According to Mr Mohammed, a further sum of N72.9m was spent by his ministry to print uniform indigenes certificates to all the 20 local government in the state.