From Maduabuchi Nmeribeh, Kano
Kano state Executive Council has approved the sum of N2, 365, 469, 525.00 billion for the conduct of January 16, 2021 Local Government election in the state.
According to the state Commissioner for Information, Malam Muhammad Garba, “the release of itinerary for the conduct of the January 16, 2021 local government council’s election, approval has been given for the purchase of sensitive and non-sensitive materials in the total sum of N2, 365, 469, 525.00 billion.”
He added that, “in the spirit of shared and collective responsibility in governance, the funds, as recommended by the Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON), would be shared between the state and local government on a ratio of 55 per cent and 45 per cent, which translates to the sum of N1, 301, 008, 238.75 billion and N1, 064, 461, 286.25 billion respectively.”
Malam Garba also hinted that the Council approved the revocation of contract awarded to Messrs Tiamin Multi-Services Global Limited for the rehabilitation and asphaltic overlay of Ahmadu Bello Way for non-performance and lack of timely completion of the project.
He said the Council, has therefore, approved the award of the contract for the project to Messrs Traiacta Nigeria Limited at the cost of N1, 240, 637, 737.50 billion.
Malam Garba, who spoke while briefing newsmen on the outcome of the Council meeting held at Africa House, Government House, Kano, said that so far 15 per cent advance payment amounting to N84, 957, 172.88 million was released to the contractor while about 12 per cent progress was achieved.
He said following reconciliation of account between the state government and the contractor’s engineer, a reconciliation certificate raised indicates a negative value of N11, 392, 124.88 million against the contractor and a balance of 10 per cent retention money amounting to N3, 006, 103.75 million in favour of the contractor pending expiration of the Defect Liability Period.
Malam Garba said that the scope of the project comprises among others, site clearance, scarification of existing failed surfacing, excavation and removal of bituminous sections, fill material, demolition of failed ring culverts, box culverts and block work drainages, provision of subbase and crush stone base, prime coat, provision of asphaltic binder and wearing courses.
The Commissioner also announced that with the resumption of schools the council has approved the release of N169, 567, 990.06 million to the State Senior Secondary School Management Board to cater for nine weeks feeding, logistics and monitoring of students writing the National Examination Council (NECO) and the National Board for Arabic and Islamic Studies (NBAIS) Examinations.
He said the number of students sitting for both NECO and NBAIS stood at 12,171 will be fed for nine weeks during their stay in school at the cost of N1, 591.01 per head which translates to N161, 146, 990.6 million and logistic and monitoring at N20, 000×39 schools for nine weeks for NECO totaling N7, 020, 000.00 million, while that of NBAIS at N20, 000 for nine weeks stood at N9, 599, 722.06.
The Commissioner revealed that the council has given approval for the elongation of the terminal Grade Level (GL) of Assistant Library Officer Cadre from GL13-14 and subsequent issuance of adoption circular on same by the Office of the Head of Civil Service in keeping with the government commitment towards improving the condition of service and welfare of workforce.
He said request for the elongation, which was issued by the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation indicates that approval has been given by the National Council on Establishment, just as the terminal grade levels of some cadres such as data processing, statistical, pharmacy, community and x-ray technicians have been elongated.
Malam Garba further stated that the council has approved the release of the sum of N37, 000, 000.00 million to the state Zoological and Wildlife Management Agency for the restocking of animals in the zoo.
He added that the Kano Zoo, the only registered by Pan African Association of Zoos and Aquaria (PAAZAB) in 2007, which animal collection is facing dangers of old age, lack of pairing partners for some animals and inbreeding depression due to inability to restock for many years.
