The Kaduna State Government says it spent N3.5 billion on 37 projects in the last three and half years in Giwa Local Government area of the state.

 

This is contained in a report of projects executed at Giwa presented by officials of the state government at a town hall meeting with residents on Tuesday.

 

The meeting was organised by the state Planning and Budget Commission in collaboration with Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs.

 

Malam Bashir Sa’idu, Chief of Staff to Governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State, explained at the event that N2.9 billion out of the figure was spent on construction of five roads in the local government.

 

Sa’idu, who was represented by Malam Musa Khalid, the Special Assistant to the Governor on Special Duties, said that N377 million was expended on education projects which included construction of one school and rehabilitation of 18 others.

 

Sa’idu said that 22 toilets and 30 solar powered boreholes were also constructed in the schools as well as construction of perimeter fences and drainage system.

 

He also said that N172 million was expended on repairs of a general hospital, renovation of eight public health centres and construction of four-bed health centre.

 

“The key priority areas of the current administration were on economic development, social welfare, security and justice and governance with a view to improving the quality of life of the people,” the Chief of Staff said.

 

Dr Kabir Abdullahi, the Rector, Nuhu Bamali Polytechnic, Zaria, said that the state government had made huge investment in the education sector to improve access to quality education in the state.

 

Abdullahi, who was represented by the polytechnic Secretary for Information and Protocol, Malam Abdullahi, described education as the greatest empowerment of the people.

 

Malam Usman Isma’il, the Secretary of Giwa Local Government, said that the council executed 73 projects within his first six months in office.

 

He listed the projects to include renovation of 12 classrooms and construction of seven new ones, provision of 18 ring culverts, 13 half bridges, four drainage projects, renovation of one slaughter house and 18 electrification works.

 

“This was made possible because of the local government’s autonomy which the state government has promoted,” Isma’il said.

 

Mr Mustapha Sambo, the Speaker of the council’s Legislature, said that the people had benefited immensely from the current administration, particularly in areas of electricity and water supply and youths and women empowerment, among others.

 

“We, therefore, pledge our full support to Nasir El-Rufai led-administration in taking us to the next level.”

 

Alhaji Abdulkarim Aminu, the District Head of Giwa, said that the people were witnesses to all the good things that the current administration had done in Giwa LGA in the past three years.

 

Aminu thanked the state government and called for more intervention in the area of youths and women empowerment. (NAN)