Headlines
Ganduje to review road contracts awarded by Kwankwaso
Nasiru Yusuf
Kano state government has constituted a committee to assess the five Kilometers dual carriage way projects in the 44 local governments of the state awarded by the previous administration.
Kano Focus reports that the state commissioner for Information, Muhammad Garba, disclosed this on Sunday while briefing journalists on the outcome of the council meeting held at the Africa House, Kano.
It could be recalled that former governor Rabiu Kwankwaso has during his tenure awarded the construction of five Kilometers dual carriage ways in each of the 44 local governments of the state.
However, most of the road projects are yet to be completed five years after Mr Kwankwaso’s tenure.
The relationship between Messrs. Kwankwaso and Ganduje has become sour after the latter became the governor of Kano state with the full support of the former.
Mr Garba said the committee will evaluate, redesign, complete or terminate any contract awarded for the projects.
He explained that the committee is to be chaired by the permanent secretary, ministry of works and infrastructure with representatives from the state Urban Planning and Development Authority (KNUPDA) and ministry for local government.
According to him the committee would also determine the extent of execution of the projects and payment made to the contractors handling the projects.
Mr Garba revealed that the council has already terminated the contract awarded to Rocad Construction Nigeria Limited in 2012 for the construction of the five kilometers dual carriage way in Dawakin Tofa local government.
He said the Council has re-awarded the contract to Messrs. CCECC Nigeria Limited at the cost of N651, 844, 966.51 million after Rocad has abandoned work exposed the residents of the area to many hardships.
Other Contracts
The commissioner also stated that the council has approved the adoption of the Revised Estimated Total Cost of the contract amounting to N26, 824, 866.72 and the augmentation of N15, 600, 718.35 being additional cost in the contract for the repair works at the dilapidated Bagauda Bridge along Wak-Tiga Road in Bebeji local government area of the state.
He stated that the contract, which was initially awarded to Messrs. Bindigari Construction Limited in 2014 at the cost of N11, 224, 148.37, which scope includes reclamation of eroded sections, provision of retaining wall at both wings, among others, was not fully completed.
Mr Garba also announced the council’s approval for the reactivation of the state government initiative on mini vans empowerment program tagged “Kano Kal-Kal” that aimed at economic empowerment of the womenfolk in order to achieve sustainable clean environment in the state.
He said the program would identify genuine cooperative women groups to be given the mini vans as part of the administration’s women empowerment initiative.
The commissioner added that the council has approved the release of N20, 000, 000.00 for the renovation of four Women Development Centres to a standard level in the four new Emirate Councils in the state.
Revenue Generation
He announced that the council has approved the setting up of a committee to work out ways to ensuring that Ministries, Departments and Agencies support and collaborate towards smooth implementation of Revenue Harmonization Law 2016 for the improvement of revenue generation in the state.
Mr Garba said the committee, which is to be chaired by the commissioner for planning and budget, has commissioners of finance, information, chairman, Kano state Internal Revenue Service, managing director Kano state Agricultural Supply Company (KASCO), among others as members.
He revealed that the council has also received a proposal from the management of Porto Golf Group of Companies for the establishment of Porto Golf Resort at Tiga Castle Rock Hotel in Tiga, Bebeji local government of the state.
The commissioner stated that the council has received another proposal from a private developer, Hietech Development Project Limited to use the old Triumph Publishing Company Complex for the construction of specialized Bureau de Change Market “Kasuwar ‘yan canji”.
He said the Ganduje administration plans to partner with the private sector for investment to boost revenue and create employment opportunities, and as well to re-assert Kano as one of the leading economic centers in the country.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
A member of the New Nigeria Peoples Party in Kano Malam Hisham Habib has asserted that the entry of the national leader and also presidential candidate in 2023 Dr Rabiu Kwankwaso has uplifted the party more in its entire years of existence.
KANO FOCUS reports that the former Kano State chairman of the party said as a member and a witness of the party s activities before and after Kwankwaso joined the party with his supporters, the statements credited to the party’s founder were without decorum and contentment.
He said the party was at it s lowest ebb and the leadership has not been able to resuscitate the weak structures especially in the states stressimg that the founder Dr Boniface Aniebonam and his loyalists should be grateful to God for routing Kwankwaso into a party which cannot sponsor delegates to a convention talkless of winning at the polls.
“Kwankwaso entrance brought NNPP the first major victory that was spectacular and unimaginable, we won the governorship with the highest number in the country that no other governor scored a million votes is a milestone and a feat, moreover the party s presence at the national assembly was unprecedented ” he said
He urged the Board of Trustee Chairman to display the better part of maturity expected of a statesman and ignore the evil machinations of the saboteurs who are scared of the successes recoded by the party and the prospect it has in the near future, while also emphasizing that Engineer Kwankwaso has been consistent in his dealings with people who supported him which earned him respect globally and nationally.
The ex chairman said Nigerians from all walks of life trooped into the party because of the former Defence minister and the majority of members nationwide see Kwankwaso as the leader which naturally puts him in front considering his antecedents in the political landscape.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
Kano State Government would work closely with United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and Republic of Korea to enhance technical and vocational education across the state.
KANO FOCUS reports that the State Commissioner of Education Alhaji Umar Haruna Doguwa gave the assurance on Friday during a stakeholders meeting with a team under UNESCO project popularly known as Better Education for Africa’s Rise (BEAR III).
Doguwa said there is no better time to hold such stakeholders meeting on education than now as the present administration of Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf embarks on creating policies and programmes aimed at boosting the education standard in the state.
” This is the best time when the Government of Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf embarks on developing new agenda that are meant to revitalize the entire system of education in Kano which suffered neglect for some years. One of this agenda is to give technical and vocational training to our teaming youth to become self reliance.
” Kano State Government is therefore ready to work with this project under UNESCO and Republic of Korea to enhance technical and vocational training more especially among our students in primary and post primary schools ” he stated.
Doguwa however called on the project coordinator to look in to the possibility for making upward review of the share appropriated to Kano state under the project considering it’s population.
” I want to tell you that Kano State is a very big state that can stand for another country in terms of population. We have about 5.3 million students in primary and post primary schools and this explained the need for Kano to be given the largest shares under this project ” Doguwa demanded.
He further explained that in Kano there are more than 20 institutes meant to provide empowerment skills on different programmes, stressing that government would welcome any intervention from the donor partners to make those institutes more productive.
Earlier, the Head of office UNESCO Abuja Abdourahamane Diallo said the stakeholders meeting was organized to give the general overview of Better Education for Africa’s Rise project which is going to be implemented in Kano.
Mr. Diallo explained that the project is a joint initiative between UNESCO and Republic of Korea to strengthen the technical and vocational education and training (TVET) systems of selected countries in Africa.
” The third phase of the BEAR project will be implemented in four new beneficiary countries in West Africa including Cote d’ivoire, Ghana, Nigeria and Sierra leone from 2023-2024 building on the positive and sustainable outcomes of the BEAR II project.
” Therefore Better Education for Africa’s Rise project (BEAR III) aims to give young people in West Africa better chance of accessing decent employment by promoting sustainable improvement in the technical and vocational education and training system of beneficiary countries ” he disclosed.
Presenting the project overview, the project regional coordinator of BEAR III Manish Joshi said the project is designed to at the end of the day achieve three basic outcomes that include making the project more relevant to the need of the beneficiary countries, enhancing the quality of technical and vocational education and training delivered to trainees and improving perception of the project among young people.
At the end of the stakeholders meeting, the team was led by the Commissioner of Education Alhaji Umar Haruna Doguwa for a visitation exercise to state farm land at Karfi in Kura Local Government Area and Dangote Utra-Model Skills Acquisition Center.
Mukhtar Yahya Usman
The Kano State Government has issued a definitive three-game ultimatum to the management and technical staff of Kano Pillars Football Club, urging them to enhance their performance.
In a statement to the press on Friday, Acting Commissioner of Youth and Sports, Hamza Sufyanu Kachako, delivered the ultimatum in response to the team’s recent poor form in the ongoing 2023/24 Nigeria Premier Football League.
Following their recent defeat to Bendel Insurance of Benin, where Kano Pillars suffered a setback with a 2-1 loss, the team has faced a series of defeats, including a 1-2 home loss to Shooting Stars and a resounding 5-0 defeat against Enyimba International.
The Commissioner reiterated the state government’s steadfast support, led by Engr. Abba Kabir Yusuf, for Kano Pillars’ success. However, he stressed the need for decisive measures to reverse the team’s fortunes, emphasizing that the government will not tolerate the team’s decline.
The management and technical staff of Kano Pillars have been entrusted with the task of turning the situation around in the next three pivotal games, starting with the upcoming match against struggling Gombe United on Sunday, April 21, 2024, at the Sani Abacha Stadium in Kano. This will be followed by an away game against former champions Akwa United and a home fixture against Doma United of Gombe.
Currently positioned 7th in the Nigeria Premier Football League standings with 41 points from 30 matches, Kano Pillars are urged to secure maximum points in the upcoming matches to rejuvenate their season.
Under the guidance of Hon. Kachako, serving as the Sports Commissioner, the Ministry has allocated the necessary funds for Kano Pillars FC to complete their remaining matches in the Nigeria Premier Football League. This backing has been approved by His Excellency, Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano State, reflecting a dedication to the development of sports in the state.
Kachako expressed gratitude to Governor Yusuf for his steadfast backing of the team and called upon the devoted fans to continue supporting Kano Pillars during this critical junct.
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