Gov Sani reveals critical areas for immediate attention
By John Fwah KADUNA
Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani has revealed that schools, roads, abandoned hospitals, farms are some critical areas that would get immediate attention.
Addressing stakeholders from the 23 local government areas of the state at the Sir Kashim Ibrahim House Kaduna, lamented that over 1,500 schools in the eight frontline local government areas of the state affected by banditry, do not have fence. The Governor announced that 100 schools will be fenced in Frontline local governments to to improve the level of their security
To this end, two prominent Kaduna based business moguls, Alhaji Adamu Atta of Fifth Chukker Polo Club and Alhaji Kashim Bukar Shettima of Barbedos Group, have pledged to build the fences as part of efforts to complement the government’s commitment to implementing the Safe School Initiative.
During the meeting Governor Sani also said 32 hospitals were in sorry state, adding that his administration has resolved to, in the first phase, remodel, reconstruct and re-equip six of the general hospitals, two in each of the three senatorial zones of the state.
He said, “And that is why we have decided to remodel, reconstruct at least six of the 32 general hospitals. This project will be starting by the grace of God on Monday, that is in the next few days. These general hospitals that we are remodeling and reconstructing are; General Hospital Rigasa, General Hospital Maigana, General Hospital Gwantu, General Hospital Kafanchan, General Hospital Giwa and General Hospital Ikara.
“The reason we believe we have to invest in the healthcare, particularly at the secondary healthcare level is simply because most of these hospitals I mentioned have not been given attention in the last 20 years, and that is the reason they in their current situation. We are also focusing on education because we believe education is the greatest enabler. That is the only thing we can give to the children of the poor and they would be anything they want to be. This is why we are also investing heavily in the area of education.
“Because of the unfortunate incident that happened in Kuriga, where about 137 children were kidnapped, we saw the situation of the school, then we embarked on the assessment of all our schools, particularly our junior secondary schools and primary schools, and the result was very pathetic, because before us today in Kaduna state, we have over 1,500 schools that need to be fenced in line with Safe School Initiative.
“Most of the people that spoke here talked about some of the important roads in the state that need to be completed. I want to announce here that the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, approached me some few days ago and promised as the Speaker, to take some of the crucial roads in Zaria that have not been completed and complete them. That is his own contribution and we must commend him. That is why all of us supported him to ensure his emergence as the Speaker, House of Representatives and we are proud of him.
“We have also started attracting other support from development partners, the German embassy is also supporting us, African Development Bank is supporting us and the Office of the Vice President only three weeks ago, intervened to support our ginger farmers who lost a lot of produce because of the epidemic that destroyed most of their farms. We are also partnering with other development partners to enhance agriculture value chains and support our farmers, so that they can have access to credit,” the governor said.
Jfworld 