Today Wednesday 6th June, 2012 (16th Rajab, 1433 AH) the Kano State Executive Council held its Fifty first (51st) sitting in continuation with previous sittings during which important policy issues and programmes that positively impact on the quality of lives of our citizenry were deliberated upon. Easily retrievable authentic records show that since inception of its second tenure, the present administration pursues tangible projects spanning all sectors putting emphasis on its commitment to fulfilling campaign promises driven by the general resolve to proving good governance characterized by examplary leadership in which utilization/ consumption of resources, though conspicuous, is guided by prudence and transparency.
Unfailingly, today’s Council sitting was presided over by His Excellency the Deputy Governor/Hon. Commissioner for Local Governments Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje during which fifteen (23) memoranda were submitted by eight (

MDAs for deliberation by the Council. An expenditure of
N225,171,360.78 covering fifteen (15) projects was approved for execution by the Council. Thus;
1. Ministry of Rural and Community DevelopmentRequest for permission to utilize some of the retrieved electrical materials from Kofar Naisa Nama site:-
Council acknowledged having received a memorandum from the Ministry of Rural and Community Development dated 23rd may, 2012. Contents of the referred communication adequately reminded the Council of a report presented on 13th March, 2012 at its 10th sitting with extract number SSCA/CA/EX/18/12. Essentially the report was on the compliance of the Rural Electrification Board to remove all the installed electrical materials that were not connected to the National Grid from former NAMA site at filin Kofar Na’i’sa. Inventory of the materials is as follows;
a. L.T. Concrete poles - 239
b. Stay wire/insulator - 33
c. H. T. Concrete poles - 63
d. Disc Insulator - 9
e. 11KV pin insulator - 18
f. Stay rod shaft - 50
g. 11 KV Angle iron - 18
h. Shackle insulator - 327
i. D-Iron and pins - 56
j. B/Nuts - 81
k. Extension straps - 7
l. Tie shaft - 20
m. Flying stay - 06
n. AAC 100mm2 - 57
Council was made to note that the materials are still available as stored in the REB’s store and could be used to address problems recently reported by the Board. One problem is at Gwarzo Local Government area while the other is along Yar’ Gaya – Wudil road, where PHCN networks were destroyed by the recent rainstorms. So, the issue was considered favorably in principle by the Council for the utilization of some of the electrical materials. The Ministry was directed to submit what its required for the repairs of Yar’ Gaya-Wudil Road, and that of Gwarzo Local Government areas. In the same vein, the Council received an interim report that thieves that had been vandalizing electrical installation were caught by the Nigerian Civil Defence Corp. Two of the vehicles being used to transport the vandalized items and the individuals involved are now with the authority being interrogated. The case would soon be transferred to the Court for adjudication. Council is seeking the support of the people in the protection of government properties. The Council appreciates the effort of the security personnel in the State.
2. Ministry of JusticeSubmission of a proposal on the enaction of a Law on Free Integrated Maternal Child Health:-
A bill proposed for enaction into law was presented by the Ministry of Justice to the Council for consideration and transmission to the Honourable House of Assembly for consideration and passing into law. The bill is tagged as “Free Integrated Maternal and Child Health Care Bill 2012” and has two schedules and eleven sections. Council considered and deliberated on the proposed bill and acknowledged its contents as being in accord with the high premium placed on health care delivery services by the present administration especially as it affects Maternal and Child health. The Council noted the importance of such a bill and set up a committee to study it before its submission to the Honourable House of Assembly for consideration and ultimate passage into law.
3. Office of the Secretary to the State GovernmentFour (4) memoranda were submitted by the Office of the Secretary to the State Government for consideration and deliberation by the Council as follows:
a. Submission of progress report on admission of 25 No. Potential State Indigenous Candidates into Nigeria Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) programme:-
Council was adequately informed of the outcome of the trip undertaken by the Director General Directorate for Youth Empowerment in order to witness the screening exercise of the candidates into the Agency’s (NIMASA) programme at which only 19 of the 25 candidates were qualified, while the remaining 6 were rejected due to deficiencies in science subjects. Nevertheless, Council was made to understand that 33 candidates are expected to attend the medical test at Lagos while 3 State officials are expected to escort them. Council approved the request for the sponsoring of the officials who are to escort the candidates for the interview. Council is ready to support qualified indigenous candidates to pursue further educational qualifications.
b. Request for funds for the purchase of computers for use at the State House of Assembly:-
Council was adequately intimated of the need of computers for use at State House of Assembly as presented in the table below:
S/N ITEM OFFICE/OFFICERS UNIT PRICE TOTAL AMOUNT
1 1 Pad (Apple 2) 3GB 64GB Wireless/Bluetooth 40 Hon. Members and 6No. management staff 170,000.00 7,820,000.00
2 Laptop Computers (Dell) 500GB hard disk 4GB Ram 8No. 105,000.00 840,000.00
3 Desk top computers 20 No. 96,000.00 2,496,000.00
4 Hp lesser jet printer 122oP 10 No. 45,000.00 450,000.00
5 Sharp copier SF 2,500 model copy print scan 1No. 716,625.00 716,625.00
6 Hp Scanner 2No. 20,500.00 41,000.00
Total N1,153,125.00
N12,363,625.00In respect to the pressing nature of the Assembly’s work, Council graciously approved the release of the requested sum of
N12,363,625.00 to the Office of the Secretary to the State Government for the purchase of computers as presented in the table above for allocation/distribution to the Honorable State House of Assembly.
c. Request for permission to open Revolving Fund Account for Phiru Unit of the Ministry of Health by the Senior Special Assistant on Health Institutions:-
Council was coherently notified by the contents of the referred memorandum that the request was necessitated by difficulties posed by an earlier agreement reached on revenue sharing formula between the State Government and the Ministry of Health in which all registration fees, both new and renewal should be shared into 50:50 as proffered by Exco-committee as stipulated in the State Health institution operational Guidelines. Clearly, Council was informed of the fact that these petty charges are not part of revenue being collected but minor charges made as pre-registration, accreditation inspection, directory booklets, operational guidelines etc. And, the money realized is continuously being used for fueling official vehicles attached to the unit, media coverage, sanitary provisions and printing of documents. So, Council noted, considered and granted permission for the opening of a Revolving Fund Account for the Phiru Unit at the Ministry of Health and directed the Office of the Hon. Commissioner of Health, in collaboration with the Senior Special Assistant on Health Institutions, to report progress on the issue at next Council sitting
4. Ministry of HealthThree (3) memoranda were submitted by the Ministry of Health for deliberation by the Council – viz:-
a. Request for funds for the purchase of Dental Equipment/Instruments for the Dental Unit of Murtala Muhammad Specialist Hospital:-
This memorandum clearly notified Council of the gratitude of the Ministry of Health on the attention accorded to health care delivery services since inception of the present administration especially the new befitting face lift given to the Accident and Emergency Unit and Maternity wing of the Murtala Muhammad Hospital. All the same, the referred memorandum requested Council to consider and approve release of the sum of
N38,330,841.00 to the Ministry of Health for the procurement of Dental equipment/Instruments so as to enable Murtala Muhammad Specialist Hospital venture into another specialty area properly such as dental care services which upgrades its standard as a Teaching Hospital. Release of the requested sum was approved by the Council to the Ministry of Health to facilitate procurement of the Dental equipment/Instruments in order to replace the obsolete existing ones at the current Dental Unit as the gesture is in congruence with the current administration’s trends of meaningful intervention on issues to do with health care delivery.
b. Request for funding of activities of the State Immunization Plus days on Polio Eradication:-
Council was clearly notified of the need to continue providing support for the laudable programme referred and the Ministry of Health requested for the release of the sum of N14,530,000.00 to facilitate supervision, training, logistics and public enlightenment activities for the four (4) remaining rounds of he polio eradication programme. Release of the requested sum was approved by the Council to the Ministry of Health to enable it continue the polio eradication programme to its completion.
c. Request for funding of activities of the State Task Force Committee on Immunization and Polio Eradication:-
The referred communication presented a request for the release of the sum of N8,328,500.00 to the Ministry of Health for the provision of additional resources for the second half of the year to enable the committee continue with its planned activities. Council approved release of the requested sum to be used for the stated purpose since the gesture only ensures the completion of an already started project.
5. Ministry of Commerce, Industry, Co-operatives and TourismRequest for funds for the rehabilitation of Sharada Small Scale Industrial Estate Kano:-
Contents of the referred memorandum substantially alerted the Council of the current dilapidated condition of the Sharada Small Scale Industrial Estate established in the 1980s for the purpose of providing conducive environment to the small scale industrialists for their operations. 83 Small Scale operators of various trades operate in the area thereby providing employment opportunities to many people.
However, maintenance of internal drainages, culverts and the entire road networks has been poor since establishment of the estate. As such, contents of the memorandum essentially requested Council to approve release of the sum of
N14,997,803.76 to enable the Ministry facilitate rehabilitation work at the Sharada Small Scale Industrial Estate. Council approved release of the requested sum of money to the Ministry of Commerce, Industry, Co-operatives and Tourism to execute the stated project.
6. Ministry of Works, Housing and TransportTwo (2) memoranda were submitted by this Ministry for consideration by the Council. They include:-
a. Request for funds for the upgrading of Executive Parking area at Government House, Kano:-
Council was adequately notified by the contents of the referred memorandum of the present condition of the executive parking area and the need to upgrade it to conform with a typical and befitting Executive parking porch obtained globally. As such, Council approved release of the requested sum of
N17,367,322.00 to the Ministry of Works, Housing and Transport to expedite action on the stated purpose.
b. Request for funds for the renovation and construction of wall fence at Driving School along Zaria Road Kano:-
Council appreciated the notification of the State of disrepair of the property referred in the memoranda and the importance of constructing a boundary wall to surround the entire premises so as to secure lives and property. The requested sum of
N55,370,012.81 was approved for release by the Council to the Ministry of Work, Housing and Transport for the execution of the stated project as it is in line with the present administration’s policy of securing and fortifying all Government properties to safeguard them from encroachment.
7. Ministry of Education:-a. Request for funds on the need for the wall fencing of Sabon Layi Primary School Bichi.
Three (3) memoranda were submitted by the Ministry of Education for consideration and deliberation by the Council as follows;
Council approved the release of the sum of
N13,572,695.34 for the construction of a perimeter wall fence of Sabon Layi Primary School in Bichi so as to prevent series of encroachment threats posed to the school and to provide adequate security to the School.
b. Request for funds for the Rehabilitation and Renovation of Beguwa Primary School in Bichi LGA & Kafin Galadima Primary School in Madobi LGA.
The Council approved release of the sum of
N19,234,653.30 for the construction of additional 2 classrooms and 2- seater toilet as well as provide furniture at Beguwa Primary School and Kafin Galadima Primary School to provide conducive environment for effective teaching and learning.
c. Request of funds for the Construction of Perimeter wall fence of 4No. Primary Schools.
Council approved release of the sum of
N31,075,907.57 for the construction of perimeter wall fence at Karfi Central Primary School, Kosawa (Imawa) Primary School, Yalwa Yadakwari (Dakasoye) Primary School and Gora Liman Primary School so as to prevent further encroachment in the respective Schools.
8. Ministry for Land & Physical Planning:-Council noted and appreciated the scheduled official visit by the Presidential Technical Committee on Land Reform to the State from Sunday 10th to Wednesday 13th June 2012 for advocacy and sensitization. In addition, the Committee selected Kano State as one of the two States to undertake the pilot scheme of the project (systematic land registration).
51st Progress ReportCondolence on Recent Plane Crash in Lagos:-Council extended on behalf of His Excellency the Executive Governor and the Good citizens of Kano State, its deepest sympathy to the families of the retired AIG Shehu Ringim and the recent victims of Dana Airplane crash in Lagos. The Government send its condolences to the Federal Government and the people of Nigeria for this loss.
Council also noted with deep appreciation the kind suggestions and support given to this Administration by various stakeholders and citizens toward the development of the State.
Brief by the Hon. Commissioner for Commerce, Industry and Tourism:Council noted with appreciation that, Hon. Commissioner had a meeting with the visiting Minister of power & steel including other stakeholders on Electricity improvement and distribution in the state.
You are aware of the recent operation conducted by Nigerian Immigration services for apprehending a sizeable number of Chinese Nationals who are retailing at Kantin Kwari Market in the State metropolis. Council today noted the State visit by the Chinese Deputy Ambassador while, a State technical committee was established comprising representation from Ministry of Commerce & Justice, Immigration officials, and Kantin Kwari Market Associations to submit a report in the next two weeks.
Brief by the Hon. Commissioner for Water Resources:You may recall that the present administration procured heavy ductile water pipes worth over N2 billion for laying across the State. Today, Council noted with delight the receipt of additional pipes in the State awaiting more in due course.
Brief by the Hon. Commissioner for Rural & Community DevelopmentCouncil noted with appreciation the usual effort by the civil defense & other Vigilante groups over the taking into custody of unpatriotic men for the vendalisation of electricity cables in their vehicles while discussion continue between the Hon. Commissioner and NEPA officials to take further neccessary action.
Brief by the Hon. Commissioner for Agric:The esteemed Council noted the receipt of an NYSC corps constructed clinic at the Kano Zoological garden by the Hon. Commissioner in the same vein the amusement park is duly ready for opening and blessing.
Brief by the Secretary to the State Government:Council noted with appreciation the official visit to Federal MDAs Abuja by the SSG and Hon. Commissioner for Land. Amongst the visited MDAs by the group are Federal Ministry of Works, Housing and Environment where issues on Land reforms, prototype building plans in Kano State will soon be resolved with an official planned visit to the State on 18th-21st June by the Presidential Technical Committee on Land Reform proposed partnership with the State Government.
In the same vein, the Committee paid an official visit to Federal Ministry of Culture and Tourism as issues on Kano Tourism Master Plan were discussed and soon will be supported by the Ministry. Other matters include further development of Kano City Wall with Gidan Makama in order to boost tourism industry in the State.
Visit to Kano by the Sudan Ambassador:-Council noted with deep appreciation the official visit of the Ambassador who was received by the Deputy Governor as issues related on the establishment of a Sudan Cultural center including an Institute of Arabic studies in the city. However, the State Government allocated a suitable Land at Kwankwasiyya village for the grand project that will form a great synergy in cultural promotion and other scholarship grants.
The esteemed Council also noted the official visit by Deputy Governor to Senegal & Burkina Faso over the State representation in a General meeting on trans-border migration crisis between the Nomadic Fulani and Farmers mostly found across West African States and Societies, as related issues were deliberated and recommendations made that, States should allocate specific land for the settlement of all nomadic Fulani.