The 34 Local Government Areas in Katsina have disbursed N500 million to mobilise residents to welcome and cater to the needs of President Muhammadu Buhari during his two-day official visit to the State scheduled for January 26 and 27, Peoples Gazette has learnt.

A letter to that effect conveyed the approval of Governor Aminu Masari, authorising the release of “N14,695,588.00 to each of the 34 LGCs totaling N499,650,000.00 (Four Hundred and Ninety Nine Million, Six Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira Only) from the available balance of the 34 LGCs in the Local Government Joint Account to enable the LGCs to cater for adequate and effective mobilization of citizens to receive Mr. President during an official visit to Katsina State frum 26-27 January, 2023.”

A copy of the letter was sent to the office of the state’s accountant general, Ministry of Finance and auditor-general to fast-track disbursement before Mr Buhari’s arrival by weekend.

The half a billion naira mobilisation funds for the mere purpose of welcoming Mr Buhari are considered wasteful for Katsina State where no fewer than 70 per cent residents live below the poverty line, according to a United Nations assessment last September.

The move has also lent credence to claims that wasteful spending was left unchecked by Mr Buhari under whose inept leadership has caused the country’s debt payment to surpass its revenue.