Cleric seeks accountability of N28.3bn Ramadan feeding budget of seven states

In reports, seven states of the federation have budgeted over N28. 3 billion to feed residents during Ramadan – figures released by the states revealed.  The states include Katsina, Sokoto, Kano, Jigawa, Kebbi, Niger and Yobe. News making media rounds indicate that many other states, especially in the North, have earmarked various sums for the project but have refused to make the actual amount public.  This has elicited distrust and uneasiness in many quarters, with some clerics calling for accountability, considering the humongous amount set aside. They said even though it was not entirely wrong to support the less privileged to feed during Ramadan because of the reward therein, they nonetheless called for caution concerning the possibility of abusing the process. Katsina State topped the chart for the feeding program by budgeting N10 billion.  Sokoto earmarked N6.7 billion, Kano set aside N6 billion, Jigawa N2.83 billion, Kebbi N1.5 billion, Niger N976 million, and Yobe N178 million respectively.