From Desmond Mgboh Kano
Kano State Government has approved the release of N29,064,181,673.65 for the commencement and completion of various capital projects to improve social and physical development.
The approvals were issued at the state Executive Council meeting presided over by Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf.
A statement by the director general, Media and Publicity, Government House, Sanusi Bature Dawakin-Tofa, said the council meeting discussed interventions on agriculture, roads, and payment of backlog allowances, among others.
According to him, the council approved the release of N7,761,681,223.22 for the continuation of five-kilometre dualised road projects across the 44 local government areas.
The approved amount being the 10 percent rescue intervention will be jointly settled through the joint state and local governments account on a 30:70 basis, respectively.
The council, similarly approved N239, 536, 859.21 for the construction of three rural roads at Ja’en Makera-Salanta Gudduba-Unguwar Baizangon Guliya, and Fagoje-Kwanar Zuwo in Gwale, Ajingi and Kiru/Madobi LGAs.
According to the statement: “Approval for the procurement of 500 relief transformers to be distributed to various communities across the 44 local government areas in the state at N7,123,750,000.00 billion were also given. Approval for the 2024 constituency projects in the state also gets council’s attention. The N6,400,000,000.00 billion was approved for that.
“Part of the council’s resolutions include approval for the construction of a two-coat surface dressed road from Kwanar Gammawa in Gezawa LGA at N343,363,068.78 million. Approval for the procurement of 20 Toyota Hilux and one Toyota bus to the state Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) were also given at N819,500,000 million.
“Approval for the construction of rural roads, intervention/counterpart funds under rural access and agricultural marketing projects cost N5,345,343,190.98 billion. Council approved N26,405,447.92 million for the renovation and conversion of offices for the Chairman, anti-phone snatching task force committee.”
In another development, the governor has unveiled the distribution of free fertilisers worth over N1 billion to smallholder farmers, including females and persons with disabilities.
Governor Yusuf had during his campaign activities towards the 2023 elections promised to champion agricultural transformation through provision of quality and affordable agricultural inputs, as contained in his 70-page blueprint presented to the good people of Kano State titted: ‘My Commitment for Kano.’
Besides, Dawakin-Tofa revealed that over N1 billion NPK fertilisers that were distributed to 52,800 smallholder farmers across the 44 local government areas were produced by the state owned Kano Agricultural Supply Company (KASCO).
While flagging-off the agric input disbursement, the governor explained that the intention was to reduce cost of production and boost food security.
The state executive council had also approved the procurement of over N5 billion worth fertilisers that will soon be made available to Kano farmers at subsidised rate.
Governor Yusuf stressed that farmers already battling with the high cost of inputs and labour occasioned by economic reality, now have cause to redouble energy to multiply their produce.
He emphasised on the government’s readiness to sustain food production through regular supply of fertiliser production by the state owned company, KASCO. Governor Yusuf said KASCO and other state manufacturing centres are being strengthened to revitalise revenue flow and sustain the economy of the state.
The beneficiaries which include women farmers and people living with disabilities are expected to receive 25kg of NPK fertiliser to support their farming activities and eventually boost the yield of their crops and improve livelihood of the people.