Governor Umaru Tanko Al-Makura of Nasarawa State has denied allegations that he embezzled 43.7bn SURE-P funds meant for his state.

Al-Mkura said since the implementation of SURE-P in 2012, the state accessed N200 million monthly from SURE-P, making the total amount that has accrued to the state in two years not more than N5 billion naira.

“So, for somebody to multiply that 10 times shows the kind of person making the allegations. How did they come about this figure?” he said.

He added that how SURE-P funds were spent and project executed are of public knowledge, pointing out that the allegation was meant to scandalise his administration. He, however, said his government would not compromise accountability, prudence and management of resources.

On the alleged sack of 12,000 civil servants, the governor stated that his mind is focused on how to handle the issue of workers which will require the prudent management of resources.

“For someone to say that we have sacked 12, 000 workers is fictitious because the entire civil servants are not more than 20, 000. So, to have sacked 12,000 would have amounted to sacking half of the workforce of the state, and that is not true at all”, he maintained.

•Adapted from LEADERSHIP Sunday. Photo shows Governor Al-Makura.