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From Mohammed Abubakar, Dutse
Governor Umar Namadi of Jigawa State has reiterated his administration’s commitment to providing equitable development projects for all segments of the state without discrimination.
The governor made the commitment on Sunday at the foundation-laying ceremony of the N2.6 billion ultra-modern Emir of Dutse Palace in the state capital.
The governor, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Malam Bala Ibrahim, said the construction of the new palace was informed by the need to enhance the status of Dutse as the state capital, describing the palace as the first port of call to every visitor to the state, both at the national or international levels.
Located along the popular Ibrahim Aliyu Road in the state capital, the project, which is being handled by Kano-based Messrs Newport Quants Consultants Ltd, has an 18-month completion period.
The governor, who commended the traditional rulers across the state for their roles in enhancing the peace being enjoyed in the state, assured that the government would do everything possible to provide the enabling environment for them to ensure that the partnership lasts.
He noted that one of such projects is the construction of the new palace for the Dutse monarch. It will be recalled that the state government in June this year undertook the remodelling of a part of the Emir of Hadejia’s palace, which was commissioned by the First Lady, Sen Remi Tinubu.
The governor said the provision of such people-centred projects across the state would ensure that all segments of the state would feel a sense of belonging and contribute meaningfully to the development of the state.
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The Emir of Dutse, Alhaji Hamim Nuhu Sanusi, expressed gratitude to the state governor for embarking on the project, describing the governor as the friend of Dutse.
He recalled that the quest to have such a modern befitting palace has been on for the past 30 years, expressing delight that their desire was coming into fruition during the administration of Governor Umar Namadi.
His words, “We’ve been praying for this project for the past 30 years, but this is the time that Allah has made it to happen for which we’re grateful to our governor for it. This is a big project, this is a pride, not only for the Emir, the royal family, the people of Dutse emirate, but for the entire people of Jigawa State.”
Despite the construction of the new palace, the monarch assured the people of the emirate that the existing palace would be preserved.
According to him, “The old palace is still there and I’ll be receiving guests at the old palace because if you look at the whole palace itself it is a very historical one, while this one is a modern one, therefore, if you’re ready to impress the people, the old palace is the place to take them and impress them because history is there, culture is there and nothing beats Garu palace.”
He challenged the contractors handling the construction of the new palace not only to deliver a state-of-the-art project, but also to ensure that qualified indigenes of the emirate are given priority when engaging those to carry out the project before outsiders are considered.
Engr Buhari Kawu, who spoke on behalf of the construction firm, assured the state and the people of the emirate of the determination of the company not only to deliver a quality job, but also to meet up with the 18-month deadline and challenged them to start counting the days from yesterday.
