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CNG: Kano govt signs $15m deal with STATA Power Utilities on customized gas programme
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
Kano State Investment Promotion Agency, KANINVEST, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding, MoU, with STATA Power Utility Nigeria Limited on implementation of customized gas programme in the state.
Speaking at the signing of the MoU at KANINVEST headquarters in Kano on Friday, the Director General of the agency, Muhammad Nazir Halliru said the deal, worth $15 million, is a significant milestone towards creating a more conducive environment by reducing greenhouse gas emissions, keeping a healthier and clean environment and creating job opportunities.
According to him, the programme, if implemented, would entail the supply of Compressed Natural Gas, CNG and conversion of vehicles from using petroleum gas.
Mr Halliru explained that the effort is to address is to address the challenges of petroleum prices and transportation in the commercial state.
“This reflects the vision of this administration in terms of creating a more conducive environment by reducing greenhouse gas emissions, keeping a healthier and clean environment and creating job opportunities.
“The supply of the gas will go beyond only the vehicles but also supplying to industries and major companies that are using CNG or can opt to use it in order to improve their production and their services,” he said.
The DG disposed that the implementation of the partnership would be in about six months time after the company set up the gas stations in the state.
“So weve just secured the approval of His Excellency the Executive Governor for this huge investment. We hope the implementation will be in the next coming months, perhaps six months or so by the time they are able to establish their factories to establish the company and the location, location which has been already approved to them.
” They are also going to have additional incentives in terms of tax waivers as a Pioneer investment,” he explained.
In his part, the Chief Executive Officer of the company, Salman Dantata expressed delight for the “groundbreaking” MoU signing which according to him, would help in bringing down cost of transportation and boost industrialization in Kano.
“This initiative is in line with global trends toward cleaner energy, economic development, and environmental sustainability.
“By transitioning from traditional fuel sources to compressed natural gas, CNG, for automobiles, this program seeks to reduce the transportation costs, improve air quality, reduce carbon emissions, and enhance energy efficiency across Kano State,” he said.
Mr Dantata explained that the investment could be up to $15 million by STATA over the next 2 years for deployment of the LCNG stations across the state.
According to him, the firm is intended to investing on conversion kits and setting up the conversion centre within the stations.
He said in the next one year, the company would commence provision of 5000 solar-powered tricycles and 10 motor vehicles for commercial purposes in the state.
Mr Dantata explained that the mother has station would be sited at Tamburawa area in Kura Local Government area of the state with a capacity of 110 metric tons a day.
The sister gas stations, with 2 metric tons capacity each, according to Mr Dantata, would be situated at, Dalladi Nasidi, Maiduguri Road, IBB Road, Shagari Quaters, Cotton Gingery, Sharada and Bechi quarters.
He disclosed that the firm would plan to expand to 20 stations within 5 years, adding that the project would create over 300 direct and 5000 indirect jobs to teeming youths in the second most populous state in the country.
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“As You Sow, So Shall You Reap”: Imam Reminds Muslims of Divine Justice
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
Imam Nura Garba Mato has urged Muslims to remain conscious of their actions, saying that divine reward and punishment often correspond to the nature of people’s deeds.
KANO FOCUS reports that the imam made the call while delivering a Friday sermon at Jami’u Ansar wal Muhajirun Jumaa Mosque, Cotton Ginnery Layout, Zawaciki, Kano State.
The sermon, titled “Al-Jazā’u Min Jinsil-‘Amal” (Recompense Is According to the Nature of Deeds), focused on the Islamic teaching that people’s actions have consequences and that good deeds attract divine reward.
Imam Mato said Allah had established enduring principles in human life that do not change, urging Muslims to understand these principles and allow them to guide their conduct.
He explained that one of these principles was that recompense corresponds to the nature of one’s actions, stressing the importance of living righteously and fulfilling one’s responsibilities to Allah and fellow human beings.
The imam called on Muslims to observe *taqwa* (consciousness of Allah), remain steadfast in their faith and follow the teachings and traditions of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).
He also highlighted the importance of helping people in difficulty, easing the burdens of others and showing compassion to fellow Muslims.
Quoting a prophetic tradition, the imam emphasised that whoever relieves a Muslim of a hardship in this world will receive relief from Allah on the Day of Resurrection.
He further explained that whoever conceals the faults of a fellow Muslim would receive Allah’s concealment of their faults on the Day of Resurrection, while those who make things easier for people in difficulty would receive Allah’s assistance in this world and the Hereafter.
The sermon also underscored the importance of supporting others, noting that a Muslim’s relationship with Allah should be reflected in their treatment of fellow human beings.
Imam Mato urged Muslims to reflect on their deeds and recognise that their conduct carries consequences, encouraging them to embrace good actions, assist those in need and uphold the teachings of Islam in their daily lives.
He stressed that Muslims should make righteousness, compassion and service to others central to their lives in pursuit of Allah’s pleasure and success in the Hereafter.
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Kano Govt Orders Retired Civil Servants to Vacate Offices, Hand Over Government Property
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
The Kano State Government has directed all civil servants who have attained their statutory retirement age or completed the required length of service to immediately vacate their offices and hand over government property in their possession.
KANO FOCUS reports that the directive was contained in Circular issued on Tuesday by the Establishment Directorate, Office of the Head of Civil Service, Kano State.
The circular, signed by the Permanent Secretary, Establishment, Abba A. Danguguwa, on behalf of the Head of Civil Service, was titled: “Unauthorized Continuance in Service After Statutory Retirement by Civil Servants in Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) of Government – Call for Immediate Handing Over of Official Documents, Properties.”
The government said it had observed that some civil servants continued to remain in office and operate in official capacities after reaching their statutory retirement period.
According to the circular, such conduct was a “negation to the reputation of the Civil Service of Kano State,” noting that the service had a long-standing tradition of ensuring seamless transition by retiring civil servants.
It described the continued stay in service after retirement as a direct infraction and aberration of relevant provisions of the State Civil Service Rules and other applicable service regulations.
The government stressed that it was legally and administratively untenable for any officer to remain in service or perform official functions beyond the statutory limit.
Consequently, all civil servants who had retired either by age or length of service were directed to immediately exit and hand over all official documents, government property and duties to their immediate subordinates in their respective ministries, departments and agencies.
The circular also directed all Accounting Officers, including Permanent Secretaries and Chief Executives, as well as Directors of Administration and Personnel Management, to ensure strict and immediate compliance with the directive.
It warned that any officer found aiding, abetting or condoning the continued stay of a retired officer in service would face appropriate disciplinary action in accordance with the Civil Service Rules.
The directive takes immediate effect, the circular stated.
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Kano Settles N32bn Pension, Gratuity Liabilities, Says Gov Yusuf
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf says his administration has settled approximately N32 billion out of the N48 billion inherited backlog of gratuities and related liabilities owed to retirees in the state.
KANO FOCUS reports that Gov Yusuf disclosed this on Thursday while addressing residents at the 66th Independence Anniversary celebration held at the Sani Abacha Indoor Stadium in Kano.
The governor said the government had also sustained the regular payment of monthly pensions while increasing the minimum monthly pension from N5,000 to N20,000.
He said the welfare of workers and pensioners remained a priority of his administration, citing timely payment of salaries, improved remuneration and measures aimed at strengthening the public service.
According to him, the state has maintained the practice of paying workers’ salaries on or before the 25th of every month while implementing the N71,000 minimum wage for civil servants.
Gov Yusuf also said his administration was sponsoring public servants for professional training, including programmes at the Administrative Staff College of Nigeria (ASCON), to strengthen their administrative and leadership capacity.
He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to building a professional and motivated workforce, while ensuring that the contributions and sacrifices of serving workers and retirees were recognised and treated with dignity.
