Headlines
NGO begins constituency projects tracking in Kano

Mukhtar Yahya Usman
A Non-Governmental Organization, Resource Centre for Human Rights and Civic Education, CHRICED has unveiled a community-driven Anti-Corruption Initiatives to track and uncover shady deals in constituency projects across 44 local government areas of Kano State.
Kano Focus reports that the Executive Director of the organization, Zikirullahi Ibrahim reveled this at a media briefing on Tuesday.
Mr Ibrahim said the program which is supported by John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation has three years life span.
He said the initiative is to reduce corrupt practices in key social service sectors particularly constituency projects in the state.

Ibrahim who expressed concern over misappropriations constituency projects funds accused politicians of abusing the intervention.
He said the programme will empower the local citizens with the skills and capacities to use innovative approaches and legal provisions to ensure funds appropriated for constituency projects are judiciously spent.
He noted that the project will also work hand in hand with anti-graft agencies such as Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission ICPC, Kano State Public Complaint and Anti-corruption Commission, Civil Society Organizations, CSOs and Media towards achieving the set goal.
“One of the major tragedies of our country is the fact that since the advent of the current democratic dispensation in 1999, trillions of Naira of public resources spent by governments at all levels have not translated to a better life for the people.
“The people of this country wallow in poverty, misery and extreme deprivation. One of the many government programs, which could have helped spread development, and give citizens a sense of belonging and benefits from public resources, is the zonal intervention project, also known as the constituency project.
“Unfortunately, what we have seen since Nigeria’s return to civil rule is a constituency project system that has been severely damaged by corruption, inefficiency, and lack of accountability.
“Projects, which should have been the outcomes of democratic decision-making and robust participation of the people at the grassroots have been so thoroughly abused that they have become opportunities for politicians involved to line their pockets,” Mr Ibrahim said.
In his remarks the President, Kano Civil Society Forum, Ibrahim Waiya expressed readiness of the Civil Society Organizations to work hand in hand with the group to achieve the desired objectives, describing the move as a milestone which requires all hands to be on deck to change the narratives.

Headlines
Abba Kabir Yusuf asks Fuel Marketers to reverse to old price

Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
Kano state Governor, Engr. Abba Kabir Yusuf has urged petroleum marketers to reverse the prices of petroleum goods to its old rate in order to lessen the current hardship experienced by the general public.

KANO FOCUS reports that the appeal is contained in a statement issued by Sanusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, the chief press secretary to the governor.
The governor said he is aware that the marketers still had old products in stock that were supposed to be sold at the previous pricing.
“To reduce the needless hardship on the state’s citizens, the marketers should exercise some restraint and quickly reopen all filling stations with available products in stock to sell at the former price.
“As a concerned Governor, I am disheartened to see our dear People of Kano suffering as a result of an unjustified fuel hike, and the situation must be stopped right away,” the governor said.
Kano, according to governor, is the commercial hub for the country’s northern region as well as certain countries in West Africa, and its bustling populace continues to enjoy favorable business conditions.
The Governor urged the good citizens of Kano state to maintain their composure and uphold the law because the government is always prepared to make sure that people are doing their affairs conveniently.

Headlines
Abba Kabir Yusuf appoints Rahila Mukhtar to head KSCHMA

Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim

Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf has announced the appointment of Rahila Mukhtar as executive secretary of the Kano State Healthcare Contributory Management Agency (KCHMA).
KANO FOCUS reports that this is contained in a statement by his chief press secretary Sanusi Bature Dawakin Tofa on Thursday.
Yusuf also approved the appointment of Garba Bichi as managing director of the Kano State Water Board, Hassan Danbaffa as managing director of the Kano State Road Maintenance Agency (KARMA), Ibrahim Yakubu as managing director of the Kano State Urban Planning and Development Authority (KNUPDA) and Abdulkadir Abdussalam as the accountant-general.
KANO FOCUS reports that the government said a date for their swearing-in would be announced soon to enable them to assume the new responsibilities.

Headlines
Police arrest ninety-six suspects in Kano over attempts to disrupt inauguration activities


Ninety- six suspects were arrested by the Nigeria Police in Kano following alleged attempts to disrupt peace in the state during Monday’s inauguration ceremony.
KANO FOCUS reports that State Commissioner of Police, Mohammed Usaini Gumel, who disclosed this at a press conference held at the Command’s Bompai headquarters, Wednesday remarked that the arrest followed a series of crackdowns by his men.
He noted that the suspects, who were picked up differently across the state within the last one week included 56 suspected mobile phone robbers, 17 illicit drug related suspects, and 20 suspects who were arrested on account of attempts to commit violent crimes.
Items recovered from the suspects included five cartons of suspected Tramadol tablets, 83 sachets of suspected Diazepam and 371 pieces of rubber solution, including 12 parcels and 303 wraps of dried leaves.
Other recoveries from the suspects included 157 weapons, four locally made guns, one toy gun and 18 mobile phones as well as 34 ATMs .
He explained that preliminary investigations had led them to conclude that the suspects were saboteurs and sponsored criminals given that they were found with dangerous weapons and were also under the influence of drugs during their arrest
Usaini added that all the suspects would soon be charged to court even as he advised the members of the public to be law abiding.
He insisted that the Police would continue to match its words with actions until all the criminally minded persons in the state repented or decided to leave the state.
