PREPARED BY THE COUNCIL AFFAIRS DIRECTORATE,
OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY TO THE STATE GOVERNMENT,
GOVERNMENT HOUSE, KANO.
OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY TO THE STATE GOVERNMENT,
GOVERNMENT HOUSE, KANO.
It is indubitably clear that the task of nation-building is a
herculean one as this requires visionary and selfless leadership at
all levels of government to marshal the available human and natural
resources to optimum use for wealth creation. Naturally, the human
capital is the greatest asset to any society if well developed like
what obtains in most advanced countries that have no abundant natural
resources. The leaders of these countries consciously and consistently
give premium to the development of their respective human resources
for the overall development of their societies in all fields of human
endeavours.
In Kano State, His Excellency, the Executive Governor,
Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, OFR, has fully understood this
indisputable fact and since the inception of his administration,
conscious efforts are being made to harness the abundant human and
natural resources the State is endowed with for the well-being of the
people through the execution of meaningful projects, formulation of
policies and initiation of people-centred programmes to empower the
public educationally, financially and materially to become productive
and self-reliant.
It was in continuation of these relentless efforts to
bring about speedy and sustainable development to the most populous
State in the federation that the State Executive Council held its 23rd
meeting under the distinguished chairmanship of the visionary
Governor during which many memoranda were presented for the Council’s
deliberations and approval. Also during the meeting investors from
Spain and South Africa made presentations on solar power and modern
abattoir and beef processing. The Spanish investor, Gruenerpro
demonstrated its readiness to establish a 100 megawatt solar power
plant with the support of the State Government while the South African
investor, Crux Industries will build a modern abattoir and cattle
rearing facilities in the State.
In his opening remarks after welcoming the esteemed
Council members to the meeting, Gov. Ganduje expressed appreciation
over the successful inauguration of the Kano State Education Promotion
Committees at the State and Local Government levels on Monday 30th
November, 2015 as part of efforts to resuscitate and improve the
sector both qualitatively and quantitatively with a call on the
general public to regard education as the concern of all and sundry by
contributing to the sector not only materially and financially but
morally. The Chairman also tasked all Hon. Commissioners to closely
monitor the progress of the education sector in their respective local
government areas, disclosing that the sum of N10 million has been
released to each of the 44 local Government Education Promotion
Committees totaling N440 million to commence the renovation of
dilapidated primary schools. According to the Governor, “Education for
all is the responsibility of all; hence there is the need for
individuals, families, communities, groups and corporate bodies to
join hands with us to give our children functional and qualitative
education.”
On the recent unfortunate fatal fire outbreak at
Government Girls Secondary School, Jogana, which he earlier visited and
directed for the immediate reconstruction of the razed down
dormitories, the Governor commiserated with the families of the
students who lost their lives, prayed to the Almighty Allah to grant
them Al-Jannatul Firdausi, the families the fortitude to bear the loss
and those who sustained various degrees of injury quick recovery.
The Chairman further disclosed that all boarding
secondary schools in the State would be provided with fire-fighting
equipment while the State Ministry of Education, Science and
Technology had equally been directed to ensure the provision of wider
doors, adequate ventilation and emergency exits to all dormitories for
the safety of students, urging the general public to be extra
cautious over the use of fire and electrical heating equipment during
the harmattan season to forestall fire outbreak.
On the current biting fuel scarcity in the country, the
Governor expressed deep concern over the disturbing situation and
directed the Hon. Commissioner of Commerce, Industry and Cooperatives
to explore all available means to ensure the availability of the
product to consumers, promising that Government would ensure
discipline in the oil business to alleviate the sufferings of the
people, saying that the scarcity is artificial in nature in view of
the proliferation of road side oil marketers in the State and
elsewhere.
He then expressed appreciation over the concerted
efforts of the police and other security agencies as well as organized
vigilantes to track down and apprehend cattle rustlers in the State
which had resulted in the recovery of hundreds of cattle and sheep at
several locations and thanked the people of the State for their
untiring support and cooperation, reassuring that the Government would
continue to pay serious attention to the protection of their lives
and property.
The following memoranda were presented before the
esteemed Council members by ministries, departments and agencies for
due consideration and approval during the 23rd meeting with financial
implication in the sum of N1,301,461,177.81:
a) Memorandum on Request for Funds for the Rehabilitation and Upgrading of Parks and Gardens
The request is from the Ministry of Land and Physical Planning for the rehabilitation and upgrading of eight parks, open areas and gardens on State Road and at Kofar Nassarawa Flyover as part of efforts to beautify the area. This also involves the construction of six boreholes with overhead tanks for the watering of ornamental trees, grasses and flowers to be planted along the road. Having considered the desirability of the projects, the Council approved the sum of N16,652,800:00 for the undertakings.
The request is from the Ministry of Land and Physical Planning for the rehabilitation and upgrading of eight parks, open areas and gardens on State Road and at Kofar Nassarawa Flyover as part of efforts to beautify the area. This also involves the construction of six boreholes with overhead tanks for the watering of ornamental trees, grasses and flowers to be planted along the road. Having considered the desirability of the projects, the Council approved the sum of N16,652,800:00 for the undertakings.
b) Memorandum on Request for Funds for the General
Renovation, Rehabilitation and Construction of Additional Structures at
Dawakin Tofa Cottage Hospital Toward its Upgrade to General Hospital
The Ministry of Health presented the request for the sum of N280,882,613:55 to undertake the general renovation and rehabilitation works as well as the construction of additional structures at Dawakin Tofa Cottage Hospital preparatory to its upgrading to a general hospital. In its earlier sitting, the Council had approved a large sum of money for the supply of modern equipment in preparation for the much-desired upgrade. The projects include the construction of four 20-bed male and female wards including surgical ones, laboratory block, ANC block, ART block, 3-bedroom staff house for the resident doctor, new connecting corridors, sheds for patients’ relatives, borehole, over-head tank and water reticulation, conversion of temporary kitchen to permanent one, mortuary block, pharmacy and doctor’s consulting room, among others. The Council approved the amount in consideration of the importance of the projects to the people of Dawakin Tofa local government area and neighbouring ones.
The Ministry of Health presented the request for the sum of N280,882,613:55 to undertake the general renovation and rehabilitation works as well as the construction of additional structures at Dawakin Tofa Cottage Hospital preparatory to its upgrading to a general hospital. In its earlier sitting, the Council had approved a large sum of money for the supply of modern equipment in preparation for the much-desired upgrade. The projects include the construction of four 20-bed male and female wards including surgical ones, laboratory block, ANC block, ART block, 3-bedroom staff house for the resident doctor, new connecting corridors, sheds for patients’ relatives, borehole, over-head tank and water reticulation, conversion of temporary kitchen to permanent one, mortuary block, pharmacy and doctor’s consulting room, among others. The Council approved the amount in consideration of the importance of the projects to the people of Dawakin Tofa local government area and neighbouring ones.
c) Memorandum on Request for Funds for the Payment of
Special Grant to 108 Kano State Students Admitted into the Nigeria Law
School for the 2015/2016 Academic Session (November Batch)
The request is from the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology for the sum of N36,180,000:00 for the payment of special grant to students of Kano State origin admitted into the Nigeria Law School after their graduation from various universities. The Government has decided to give each of the 108 students the sum of N335,000:00 to facilitate their registration at the various campuses of the Nigeria Law School and the Council approved the release of the amount to the students, thus demonstrating the Ganduje administration’s commitment to the empowerment of the people of the state in all aspects of life.
The request is from the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology for the sum of N36,180,000:00 for the payment of special grant to students of Kano State origin admitted into the Nigeria Law School after their graduation from various universities. The Government has decided to give each of the 108 students the sum of N335,000:00 to facilitate their registration at the various campuses of the Nigeria Law School and the Council approved the release of the amount to the students, thus demonstrating the Ganduje administration’s commitment to the empowerment of the people of the state in all aspects of life.
d) Memorandum on Request for Funds for the Feeding of 10
Almajiri Model Schools During the First Term of the 2015/2016
Academic Session
This request is also from the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology for the feeding of pupils of 10 newly established Almajiri Model Schools with about 459 pupils across the State as part of the State Government’s efforts to integrate the age-old Qur’anic education and eradicate street begging. This programme started in the 2014/2015 academic session under the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) which was later transferred to the newly established Qur’anic and Islamiyya Schools Management Board. The sum of N150 is recommended for the provision of three square meals to each of the pupils of these schools amounting to N4,890,000:00 which the Council approved for the feeding programme during the first term of the 2015/2016 academic session.
This request is also from the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology for the feeding of pupils of 10 newly established Almajiri Model Schools with about 459 pupils across the State as part of the State Government’s efforts to integrate the age-old Qur’anic education and eradicate street begging. This programme started in the 2014/2015 academic session under the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) which was later transferred to the newly established Qur’anic and Islamiyya Schools Management Board. The sum of N150 is recommended for the provision of three square meals to each of the pupils of these schools amounting to N4,890,000:00 which the Council approved for the feeding programme during the first term of the 2015/2016 academic session.
e) Memorandum on Request for Funds for the Payment of
the Year 2015 State Government Matching Grant to the State Universal
Basic Education Board (SUBEB)
The request is from the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology drawing the attention of the esteemed Council members to note the joint contribution of 50:50 funding ratio between the federal government through the Universal Basic Education (UBEC) and the state government as matching grant for the execution of infrastructural projects at basic education schools in the State. The federal government’s share of UBEC matching grant amounts to N876,756,756:76 the same amount the state government is expected to pay totaling N1,753,513,513:52. Having considered the importance of the grant, Council approved the release of the sum of N876,756,756:76 as the state government’s share of 50% of the matching grant to SUBEB for the execution of various projects at basic education schools across the state.
The request is from the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology drawing the attention of the esteemed Council members to note the joint contribution of 50:50 funding ratio between the federal government through the Universal Basic Education (UBEC) and the state government as matching grant for the execution of infrastructural projects at basic education schools in the State. The federal government’s share of UBEC matching grant amounts to N876,756,756:76 the same amount the state government is expected to pay totaling N1,753,513,513:52. Having considered the importance of the grant, Council approved the release of the sum of N876,756,756:76 as the state government’s share of 50% of the matching grant to SUBEB for the execution of various projects at basic education schools across the state.
f) Memorandum on Request for Funds to Enable Kano
Pillars Basketball Team Participate in the FIBA Africa Championship
Scheduled to Hold from 9th – 20th December, 2015 in Luanda, Angola
The request is from the Ministry of Information, Youth and Culture for the sum of N35,518,900:00 to enable the state’s darling team, Kano Pillars Basketball Team participate in the FIBA Africa Championship in Luanda, Angola from 9th to 20th December, 2015 as Nigeria’s flag bearers. Kano Pillars Basketball team had recorded successes at the 2015 FIBA Zone III African Basketball qualifiers in Cotonou, Benin Republic in November, 2015 by winning all five matches thus qualifying to represent Nigeria and the West African sub-region in the forthcoming 30th FIBA Africa Champions Cup finals in Angola. The amount requested is for registration, accommodation, feeding, air tickets, match bonuses, medication, accompanying officials’ estacodes, sign-on fees, etc. Having considered the superlative performances of the team in the previous national, regional and even continental outings, the Council approved the amount to enable the team represent the state and the country in the championship.
The request is from the Ministry of Information, Youth and Culture for the sum of N35,518,900:00 to enable the state’s darling team, Kano Pillars Basketball Team participate in the FIBA Africa Championship in Luanda, Angola from 9th to 20th December, 2015 as Nigeria’s flag bearers. Kano Pillars Basketball team had recorded successes at the 2015 FIBA Zone III African Basketball qualifiers in Cotonou, Benin Republic in November, 2015 by winning all five matches thus qualifying to represent Nigeria and the West African sub-region in the forthcoming 30th FIBA Africa Champions Cup finals in Angola. The amount requested is for registration, accommodation, feeding, air tickets, match bonuses, medication, accompanying officials’ estacodes, sign-on fees, etc. Having considered the superlative performances of the team in the previous national, regional and even continental outings, the Council approved the amount to enable the team represent the state and the country in the championship.
g) Memorandum on Request for Funds for the Procurement of Five Toyota Hilux Vans for Effective Vaccine Delivery
The request is from the Ministry of Health for the sum of N44,500,000:00 for the procurement and supply of 5 Toyota Hilux vans to the state Primary Health Care Management Board for effective and timely delivery of vaccines to designated health facilities as well as to guarantee the maintenance of conducive temperature of vaccines to safeguard their potency during the transportation to service units. The Council readily approved the amount for the procurement of five (5) 4x4 Toyota Hilux double-cabin vans with built-in carrier for vaccines.
The request is from the Ministry of Health for the sum of N44,500,000:00 for the procurement and supply of 5 Toyota Hilux vans to the state Primary Health Care Management Board for effective and timely delivery of vaccines to designated health facilities as well as to guarantee the maintenance of conducive temperature of vaccines to safeguard their potency during the transportation to service units. The Council readily approved the amount for the procurement of five (5) 4x4 Toyota Hilux double-cabin vans with built-in carrier for vaccines.
h) Information Memorandum on the Outstanding Performance of 178 SAISS and Tahfeez Schools in the 2015 NBAIS Examinations
The memorandum is from the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology informing the Council that the State has emerged the best in terms of the number of passes at credits level in the 2015 National Board of Arabic and Islamic Studies (NBAIS) examinations released recently. The examination was patronized by a total of 154 Senior Arabic and Islamic Secondary Schools and 24 Tahfeez Schools in the State with 8,726 candidates which is also the highest in terms of overall performance.
The memorandum is from the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology informing the Council that the State has emerged the best in terms of the number of passes at credits level in the 2015 National Board of Arabic and Islamic Studies (NBAIS) examinations released recently. The examination was patronized by a total of 154 Senior Arabic and Islamic Secondary Schools and 24 Tahfeez Schools in the State with 8,726 candidates which is also the highest in terms of overall performance.
i) Memorandum on Request for Funds for the Sponsorship
of Students for Masters Degree in Geo-Information Science and
Environmental Management
The request is from the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology for the sponsorship of Kano State indigenous students to pursue a masters degree in geo-information science and environmental management at the Regional Centre for Training in Aerospace Surveys (RECTAS), Obafemi Awolowo University campus, Ile-Ife. The centre previously trained 16 staff of the Ministry of Land and Physical Planning and KNUPDA since 2012/2013 which has enhanced the capacity of KANGIS. The Council approved the sum of N6,080,107.50 to sponsor Kano State indigenous students to undergo 18-month masters degree programme at the centre and the amount will cover acceptance fee, tuition, hostel, feeding, health care, external examination and others.
The request is from the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology for the sponsorship of Kano State indigenous students to pursue a masters degree in geo-information science and environmental management at the Regional Centre for Training in Aerospace Surveys (RECTAS), Obafemi Awolowo University campus, Ile-Ife. The centre previously trained 16 staff of the Ministry of Land and Physical Planning and KNUPDA since 2012/2013 which has enhanced the capacity of KANGIS. The Council approved the sum of N6,080,107.50 to sponsor Kano State indigenous students to undergo 18-month masters degree programme at the centre and the amount will cover acceptance fee, tuition, hostel, feeding, health care, external examination and others.
j) Memorandum on Request for Funds for the Conduct of Promotion Examination for Officers on Grade Level 07 – 15
The request is from the Office of the Head of Civil Service for the sum of N1,854,000:00 for the conduct of promotion examination for officers on grade level 07 to 15 aspiring to higher levels in the state civil service. The examination was introduced in order to ensure only qualified staff members are promoted to the next level commencing with five pilot MDAs which include the Office of the Head of Civil Service, Ministry of Finance, Offices of the Auditor-General for State and Local Governments and Bureau of Statistics. The amount being requested is for production of question papers and scripts, venue, stationeries, refreshments and fuelling, allowances to resource persons, supervisors, invigilators, KERD staff, pre-examination tutorials allowance to facilitators and production of examination guidelines handbook, among others which the Council approved.
The request is from the Office of the Head of Civil Service for the sum of N1,854,000:00 for the conduct of promotion examination for officers on grade level 07 to 15 aspiring to higher levels in the state civil service. The examination was introduced in order to ensure only qualified staff members are promoted to the next level commencing with five pilot MDAs which include the Office of the Head of Civil Service, Ministry of Finance, Offices of the Auditor-General for State and Local Governments and Bureau of Statistics. The amount being requested is for production of question papers and scripts, venue, stationeries, refreshments and fuelling, allowances to resource persons, supervisors, invigilators, KERD staff, pre-examination tutorials allowance to facilitators and production of examination guidelines handbook, among others which the Council approved.
UPDATE ON ACTIVITIES OF THE 23RD EXCO SITTING
COMMENCEMENT OF BIOMETRIC DATA CAPTURE EXERCISE FOR ALL CIVIL SERVANTS/PUBLIC OFFICERS IN THE STATE
Council noted the commencement of biometric data
capturing exercise for public/civil servants in the State with the
issuance of bio-data capture forms to all MDAs. The exercise is
expected to establish the actual number of the staff in the State
Civil Service by flushing out ghost workers from the payroll, among
others.
SIGNING OF A MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN THE
STATE GOVERNMENT AND THE INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT ORGANIZATION
(ONIDA) ON THE ESTABLISHMENT OF AN AGRICULTURAL INDUSTRIAL PARK IN THE
STATE
Council noted with delight the signing of an MoU
between the State Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources and
JIGS Nigeria Limited who are partners with International Development
Organization (ONIDA) on 25th November, 2015 to prepare a development
plan as well as cost benefit analysis for the establishment of an
agricultural industrial park mainly on aquaculture and horticulture in
the state.
HANDING OVER CEREMONY OF SEVEN PRIMARY HEALTH CARE CENTERS BUILT AND DONATED TO KANO STATE BY DANGOTE FOUNDATION
Council noted with appreciation the enormous
contributions and support to health care delivery services across the
44 Local Governments by philanthropists and partners such as the
Dangote Foundation that built seven primary health care centers in
some local government areas. The handing over took place at one of the
new PHCs in Gwale Local Government Area. Council commended Dangote
Foundation for the kind gesture and urged other wealthy individuals
and corporate bodies to emulate this for the development of the State.
USEFUL PHONE NUMBERS ON AN Y EMERGENCY
The council has endorsed these useful phone numbers
provided by the security agencies in case of any emergency.
Accordingly, members of the general public may contact KAROTA for
breakdown of vehicle(s), traffic congestion, accident or illegal/wrong
parking on 08091626747, the State Police Command on 08032419754 or
08123821575 and the State Fire Service on 07051246833 or 08191778888.
Signed:
Hon. Commissioner of Information, Youth, Sports and Culture
Kano State.
