From Noah Ebije, Kaduna
Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani has said that his preoccupation is to serve the people of the state who elected him and not to engage in baseless and idle talks that will add no value to governance.
The Governor said that in the last 22 months, his administration has intervened in the agricultural sector, enhanced education, and brought security to areas that were most affected by insecurity in the past.
Governor Sani, who spoke after an Iftar dinner with Kaduna Social Media Influencers at Sir Kashim Ibrahim House on Saturday, said that he is focused on governance and will not be distracted by quarrelling with anyone.
He disclosed that the scarcity of piped water supply, which has been plaguing Kaduna State in the past, will soon be addressed, promising that water will be available in all 23 local government areas by the end of the year.
The Governor recalled that he declared a state of emergency in the water sector when he assumed office because the capacity utilisation of the water supply scheme was less than 5%.
Governor Uba Sani disclosed that the capacity has now risen to 30% and, by the end of the year, it will reach 100%. He said that his administration has cleared the salary backlog of Kaduna State Water Corporation staff amounting to ₦800 million, adding that “we have settled electricity debts worth ₦1.3 billion. We are also retrofitting all small water supply schemes in all the 23 local governments.”
The Governor also reiterated that peace has returned to Birnin Gwari and Giwa local government areas, which were threatened by insecurity during the last administration.
According to him, the Birnin Gwari cattle market, which had been closed for over 10 years due to security challenges, was reopened last November, and business is now booming, adding that on a daily basis, over 30 trailers load cattle to the southern part of the country.
Governor Uba Sani commended the social media influencers for highlighting the activities of the Kaduna State Government, promising to support them in their efforts to promote the administration.
Speaking earlier, the Chairman of Kaduna Social Media Influencers, Malam Adam Garba, thanked the Governor for hosting them for Iftar, adding that this was the first time any governor had done so.
The Chairman equally commended Governor Uba Sani for the support he has been giving them, pointing out that the government had earlier provided them with Ramadan palliatives.
Malam Adam, however, pleaded with the Governor to provide employment to some of their members who have the requisite qualifications when job opportunities become available.