From Maduabuchi Nmeribeh, Kano
Ahead of the January 16 Local Government elections in Kano, Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje has directed all cleared candidates of all political parties to subject themselves to a compulsory drug test.
The state Commissioner for Information, Malam Muhammad Garba who disclosed this in his office while briefing newsmen on the outcome of the state Executive Council Meeting held at the Africa House, Government House, Kano, said the decision was part of government policies to rid Kano of illicit substance abuse.
He reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to rid off drug abuse among political leaders, saying that government would not hesitate to issue necessary disciplinary measures against anyone found with the trace of illicit substance including a compulsory recommendation for rehabilitation.
Malam Garba further stated that the Council has approved change of the name of the bill amending the name of the state Entrepreneurial and Skill Acquisition Centre bill 2019 to Dangote Skills Acquisition Centre 2020 to encourage other philanthropists to emulate the business mogul’s contribution to economic development and empowerment of the people.
The Commissioner said the bill would be transmitted to the state House of Assembly for substitution and possible passage.
He revealed that approval has also been given by the council for the ratification of executive approval for maintenance works on 14 selected metropolitan roads through direct labour at the sum of N40, 598, 412.00 million and as well as approved expenditure granted on request for fund amounting to N43, 865, 280.00 for the 2021 budget exercise.
Malam Garba also announced that the council has given approval for the release of funds amounting to N99, 224, 509.00 million for the completion of office block and new other construction works at the state Qur’anic and Islamiyya Schools Board.
The Council, he said, has also given approval for the take of the newly established Policy Strategy, Implementation and Evaluation Directorate and the release of N11, 655, 600.00 million for the purchase of furniture, equipment and stationaries and the sum of N25, 697, 250.00 million for the provision of ICT infrastructure.
The Commissioner said that the council has given approval for the request for autonomous/independent status of the state Bureau of Statistics to be directly reporting to the Office of the Executive Governor in accordance with Part III sub-section (3) of the K.5 law 2 2014.
He pointed out that fund request for approval of the sum of N90, 105, 194.80 has also been approved by the council for the feeding of JSS II, JSSIII and SS/NTCII students across the 13 science and technical colleges in the state for a period of 10 weeks, while ratification of executive approval has been given by the council for the provision of some hospital equipment to Dawakiji Primary Health Centres in Dawakin Kudu local government area.
The facility, located in Ladin Makole town along Kano Maiduguri road, provides healthcare services to a population of more than 500, 000 living in different settlements.
