Zamfara Souvenir news

FROM : SURAJO MUHAMMAD

The Chairman House Committee on  Finance and Appropriation Committee, Zamfara state House of Assembly, Hon. Shamsudden Hassan Basko has  declared a zero allocation in the 2022 budget for Zamfara state school of Nursing and College of Health Science Tsafe, pending the clarification on the where about of their internally generated revenue IGR.

Speaking during the budget defense for the Ministry of Health, Hon. Shamsudeen said it  would not be fair for the state government to be disbursing funds to the two institutions while they are not remitting a single Kobo to the state government account.

“another time would be fixe for the officials of the two institutions to come and clarify to the house on how they have been utilizing their IGR before we allocate a Kobo to them in the 2022 budget” he added.

Hon. Shamsudeen while commending the Commissioner of Health Hon. Aliyu Abubakar MC for his tremendous effort in making the health sector vibrant, further said if all commissioner acted like him the state services would be more active.

Responding on behalf of the management of the ministry, Hon. Aliyu Abubakar MC Tsafe expressed satisfaction with the level of maturity exhibited by the committee members during the exercise and promised to address all the challenges obversed by the committee.

 In the same vein the House Committee on Finance and Appropriation has vowed to deal with the Chairman of Zamfara state Transport Authority  (Mass Transit ) Hon. Aminu  Papa for failing to appear before the committee to defend his agency 2022 budget.

Reacting on the refusal of the Chairman to appear before the committee to defend their budget the Chairman said the law will definitely take its course against him to serve as deterent to others.

While expressing his opinion as Chairman of finance and appropriation committee of the House, Hon. Hassan alleged some irregularities and misappropriation from the finance ministry for paying some MDA’S more than what have been appropriated to them in the proceeding year.

The committee lemanted that, with the negligence attitude of some revenue generating agencies such as the state mass transit authority for not remitting what is expected of them to remit, ” this year’s budget is focusing not only a realistic but also a revenue generation, so that government will have other source of funding the budget.

“From next year any revenue generating agency that failed to remit what’s expected from it,  this  committee will allocate no kobo to such agency”, Hon Shamsudeen added.

FROM : SURAJO MUHAMMAD 

Zamfara state House of Assembly  has announced the immedites suspension of all illegal  construction of structures attached to government buildings and reserved areas across the state.

This was contained in a statement issued to newsmen by the Director General, Media and Publicity, Zamfara state House of Assembly, Malam Mustapha Jafar Kaura.

In a motion moved by the Deputy House leader, Hon. Nasiru Bello Lawal Bungudu, before the House according to the statement, observed that in different locations in Gusau the state capital such illegal exist in  open areas, turning government reserve areas to plazas and market places as such act exists only in Zamfara state when compared with the neighbouring  states of Sokoto, Kebbi, Katsina, Kano and Kaduna.

“Why statutory government agencies with responsibilty for securing urban and regional planning of Zamfara folds their arms and allow the proliferations of such illegality to continue unabated since inception of the state to date,” he lemanted. 

In their separate contributions, according to the statement the house members have unanimously supported the motion and strongly recommended that all these illegal structures currently going on across the state be stopped with Immediate effect.

Responding on the issue raised by the members, Speaker, Rt.Hon. Nasiru Mu’azu Magarya directed the House Committee on Lands, Housing and Town Planning to investigate all the allegations with the terms of reference that will aid them in carrying out their assignment with ease and report back to plenary within two months.

Some of the terms of reference given to  the committee according to the statement are, to determine the existence of Gusau Master plan, has the Master Plan be adhered to from inception to date?, how many and which agencies are involved in the management and administration of lands and master plan implementation?and what nacesitate the evolution illegal structures in government own reserved areas as enumerated in this motion.

Others terms of reference also according to the Speaker includes to Identify agencies involved in land racketeering (if any and further Identify how illegal street naming is evolved and recommend to the House on action to be taken in curbing the occurances of these problems as identified in the contents of this motion.

In another development the house also considered and adopted a report for the establishment, composition and powers of the state Anti-corruption Commission by given the bill third reading and subsequently passed it into law.

At the end of the house delibrations,Speaker, Rt. Hon. Nasiru Magarya however used the forum to condoled with his Kogi state counterpart, Mr Mathew Kolawole, over the demise of his wife, Mrs Esther Kolawole who  died on Dec. 5 after a brief illness at the age of 50.

Hon. Magarya on behalf of all members expressed deep sorrow over the death of Mrs Esther Kolawole, describing the death as a great loss to the entire Kogite and the nation at large.
He prayed to God to give the Speaker and his entire family the courage to bear the great loss.

He prayed to God to give the Speaker and his entire family the courage to bear the great loss.

Hon. Shamsuden Hassan
Chairman House Committee on Finance and Appropriation

FROM : SURAJ MUHAMMAD

Zamfara state Board of Internal Revenue has assured to generate N11 billion as Internally-Generated Revenue (IGR) for the state in the year 2022.

Speaking to newsmen after the defence of the 2022 budget proposal to the state house, the Chairman of the board, Hon. Ali-Akilu Dama, said, with the improvement on security and the socio economic development of the state and the recent  measures introduced by the board the revenue generation will improve in 2022.

“We are expecting more revenue from various sectors of development in 2022, if the government agencies  businesses,   schools and other various activities improved in this new year 2022″, he added.

On the issues of personnel cost and over head cost which includes workers’ salaries, promotion and allowances for the year 2022, the Chairman stated that the board has proposed over N123 million and N481 million respectively.

“On the capital project of the board proposed N135 million for the renovations and reconstructions of three zonal offices of the board across the three Senatorial districts of the state,” he added.

He however noted that, this year 2021 the board was able to generate N3.5 billion from January to date out of the N5 billion proposed for 2021 budget.
In same vein, the Ministry of Special Duties and it’s counterpart of Land and Survey have also depends their  budgets before the Committee. 

In his his Remarks, after the defence, the Chairman, House Committee on Finance and Appropriation, Hon. Shamsudeen Hassan-Basko informed that, the assembly is laying emphasis on International Public Sector Accounting Standard (IPSAS) compliance in the 2022 budget appropriation bill.

“We don’t want a situation where we allocate funds for MDAs but at the end of the year it records low performance, MDA,s should focus on projects that can be executed by the state government, he appealled.

The Chairman stated that his committee is emphasizing on revenue generation, before clearing a proposal from each ministry and agency and check its performance on revenue generation for the state.
While appealling for the board to members to dedicate themselves on more revenue generations for the state, Hon. Hassan further assured the block leakages of all revenue generating in other the IGR increase in the state.

FROM : SURAJO MUHAMMAD

Zamfara state House of Assembly has said, the house committee on Finance and Appropriation will henceforth allocate funds to Ministries, Directorates and Agencies (MDA,s) in this year’s budget appropriation based on their performance in the 2021 budget allocations.

Chairman, House Committee on Finance and Appropriation, Hon Shamsudeen Hassan Basko Talata Mafara made this known during the inaugural meeting of 2022 budget defence to be perfom by the Ministries, Departments and Agencies in the state as part of the constitutional mandate of the state House of Assembly.

Hon. Hassan said the idea behind the taken of this decision is to reduce unnecessary spendings on the government and block all leakages and arrive at a realistic budget considering that the state is undergoing IPSAS compliance budget in the state.

“There is no justification for this committee to allocate funds to MDA’s in the state while release of  money by the government to funds the budget become extremely difficult.”, He added.

While calling on the revenue generating agencies of government to be more proactive in generating revenues to the state government for funding budget, Hon Shamsudeen however urged the MDA’S in the state to always cross-check their areas of needs during pre-budget defence with the ministry of Budget before projecting money for appropriation in the main budget estimate. 

“All hands must be on deck to assist the state government in arriving at a more realistic budget to avoid recoursing back  to the House for trimming down the budget by a certain percentage”, he re-iterated. 

According to the Chairman, his committee will not hesitate to downsized the budget of any MDA’s  that have no single release in the proceeding 2021 budget  optimally. 

Earliar in his remarks, a member of the committee Hon. Faruk Musa Dosara advised that emphasis should be made on realistic budget and more ways of generating income to the state so as to fund the budget more appropriately. 

Highlighting more on the issues, Hon. Dosara said generating more source of revenue by revenue generating agencies will make the state government stands on its feet economically and it will also discourage rellying  on monthly federation allocation.

Presenting his budget to the house, during the commencement of the budget defence, Commissioner, Ministry of Science and Technolology, Hon. Shari Dansarki Anka presented that N911,000,000 will be spend on rehabilitation of Science Scondery School Shinkafi which according to him the work is on progress.

From : Our Reporter

Governor Bello Mohammed Matawalle of Zamfara state has commiserated with Sokoto government over the recent heartbreaking incident where a bus alighting from Sabon Birni village in the state was intercepted and set ablaze by suspected bandits.

In a statement issued to newsmen by the Special Adviser to Governor Matawalle on Public Enlightement, Media and Publication, Mallam Zailani Bappa stated that the governor who is currently on a working visit to the UAE was visibly shaken and momentarily dumb-founded by the news of this new development where bandits will now set travellers ablaze.

Governor Bello Matawallen who was shocked on hearing the episode according to the statement, said the demised of 42 persons reported by media organisations was not only dastardly but a glaring sign of the desperate attempt by the bandits to further instill fear and apprehension across the North-West region following the sustainable offensive against their nefarious activities.

“We in Zamfara state are familiar with many of their antics which is seemingly assuming different dimensions. We share at this moment our deep sympathy to those who lost their dear ones and pray that God Almighty will accept the matyrdom of the deceased”, Governor Matawalle emphatically prayed.

While extending to his counter part and indeed a brother, Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal the solidarity of Zamfara people over the attacked Governor Bello Matawallen stressed that together, the two states shall continue to join hands in fighting these miscreants so as to free our people from the present bondage and fear created by their nefarious activities in the region.

He said that now, more than ever before, the states in the North-Western region must further put their acts together to finish the good works already started which is  increasingly making impact on the bandits and their enclaves.

From : Shafa,atu Shu,aibu Shinkafi

Parents and guardians in Zamfara state have been  advised to caution their wards against indecent dressing in order to support fight against Gender Based Violence (GBV) in the society.

Zamfara state first lady and wife of the executive governor, Hajiya Aisha Bello Matawalle gave the advise during a special preaching season held for women in continuation making for this year’s event on 16 Days of Activism against Gender Based Violence (GBV) at the state Ministry for Women and Children Affairs Gusau.

The first lady who expressed dismay over the careless attitudes of some parent and guardian over their children further cautioned them to train their children against indecent dressing in order to minimize sexual assault perpetrated on women and children in the state.

“As we all know, indecent dressing is one of the major causes of rape and other sexual violence related problems affecting women and girls. You should bring your children closer to you so as to understand their situation in case they are affected by one of the violence”, Hajiya Aisha appealled.

While commending the organisers of the preaching session and Ulamas who delivered sermons during the event for their selfless contribution, the first lady however called on the women in the state to ensure judicious utilization of what they have listened from the preaching in their day to day activities.

Earliar in her welcome address, the Commissioner for Women and Children Affairs, Dr Rabi Ibrahim Shinkafi appreciated the presence of the First Lady, her entourage and members of the state Steering Committee on GBV for attending the preaching session.

According to her the present of the first lady in the event is one of the good qualities of the First Lady’s stewardship as a mother of all in the state.

While commending the present of the first lady for attending the event Dr Rabi Shinkafi further assured her ministry commitment to partner with all relevant stakeholders in the state in educating women how to improve their lives.

Delivering a sermon during the preaching session, an Islamic scholar and state Commissioner for Religious Affairs, Sheikh Tukur Sani Jangebe urged parents to take care of their families as they would be accountable of what Allah has given them.

He however called on religious and community leaders, men, women and youth to continue to support government in the fight against GBV in the society

From : Shafa,atu Shu,aibu Shinkafi

As part of the activities making the 16 Days of Activism on violence against Women and Children’s in the state, the wife of the Executive Governor, Hajia Aisha Bello Matawalle has last week led a walk against Gender – Based Violence (GBV) in Gusau, the state capital.

In a statement issued to newsmen by the Press Secretary, office of the Zamfara state first lady, Malama Zainab Shu,aibu Abdullahi said the walk which was held in collaborations with the First Lady’s office and the Ministry for Women and Children Affairs had visited the Emir of Gusau’s Palace and Zamfara state Police Command as the main point of advocacy.

Speaking at the Emir of Gusau palace, according to the statement, first lady informed that  the walk was to demonstrate the commitments and concerns of the present administration  led by His Excellency, Governor Bello Muhammad mon (Matawallen Maradun) in the fight against Gender Based Violence.

The first lady expressed her delighted in reaching out to his royal highness who is an epitome of the society’s influencers, which she said as a traditional leader has a very  strong role to play in eliminating violence, encouraging reporting of violence, and cautioning on  the society’s  stigmatization of victims. 

While expressed her gratitude to the emir for all his continuing support he has been extending to women and children in his  effort to saving humanity  from all kinds of crises, the wife of the executive governor assured her office commitments to improve the welfare of women in the state.

Earliar in his remarks the Emir of Gusau Alhaji Ibrahim Bello expressed his emirate appreciation to Her Excellency’s efforts in reaching out with massive mobilization to end violence against women and children. 
In the same vein the First lady also paid a similar visit to the Zamfara state Commissioner of Police, CP Ayuba Elkanah where she solicited for his support in the fight on violence perpetrated against women and children.

CP Ayuba Elkanah while commending the first lady for her concerns of the right of women in the state however assured his command support to the campaign on violence against women and children in the state.

“I will do my best to ensure that anybody found committing the ugly offense must face the law, police in Zamfara will never compromise on any case of gender violence” CP Elkanah explained.

Participants at the walk are the Hon.Commissioner of Information, Alhaji Ibrahim Magaji Dosara, Commissioner of Education, Hajiya Zainab Lawal Gummi, Commissioner for Rural and Community Development, Alhaji Yahaya Muhammad Kanoma,  State Women Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Hajiya Aisha Waziri,  members of the State Steering Committee on GBV, Journalists, Youth,  Women groups ,Civil Society Organizations and other top government’s officials in the state. 

FROM JAMILU ISAH GUSAU

Zamfara state commissioner for women and Children’s Affairs,Hajiya Dr Rabi Ibrahim Shinkafi has assured the state government commitments in eliminating Gender Based Violence within the society.

Dr Rabi Ibrahim made the assurance when she led thousands of women on a courtesy visit to the emir of Gusau, Alh. Ibrahim Bello at his place as part of her Ministry’s16 days line of activities marking the 2021 Gender Base Voilence in the state.

Highlighting some of the success recorded within the period under review, the Commissiner informed that her minstry has recorded 120 Gender Based Voilence cases included boys and girls that have been molested across the state.

“I called on women to expose anyone caught raping or molesting you within your society so that they will be punish within the law”, she appealled.

She however advised the state House of Assembly to enact laws that would castrate any male caught raping any woman or child, according to her it is very difficult for woman to voice out that she was raped.

While thanking the emir for the warm  reception accorded to them, Dr. Rabi further requested for support from the emirate to press on the state House of Assembly to enact laws in that regard.

Earliar in her remarks, the  Commissioner, Ministry of Education, Hajiya Zainab Lawal Gummi, called on women in the state to desist from indecent dressing which according to her will is reducing rape, sexual harassment as well as molestation of women.

Responding, the Emir of Gusau, Alh. Ibrahim Bello commended the first lady, Hajia Aisha Bello Matawalle for her Women empowerment program initiative which according to him is the first of it’s kind in reducing women hardship in the state.

From : Our Reporter

Governor Bello Muhammad Matawalle of Zamfara state has advanced out the potential of the state to foreign investors.

Addressing the Nigeria Business and Investment Forum at the ongoing Dubai EXPO currently holding at the United Arab Emirates, Governor Matawalle who was invited to the Forum along with 10 other Ministers who accompanied President Muhamnadu Buhari to the EXPO informed the gathering of the availability of several mineral deposits of local and international importance such as Gold, Silver, Columbite, Copper and Zinc in the state. 

“Zamfara state houses more than half of the totality of mineral deposit types in the country” Matawalle reaffirmed.

Commenting on the agricultural sector, Governor Bello Matawalle further informed the gathering that, Zamfara state is the largest producer of Sorghum, second largest producer of Maize, Groundnuts and third largest producer of Maize in the country.

Other crops cultivated in the state according to him also includes Millet, beans, among others.

He therefore, call on investors to seize this golden opportunity as all necessary laws and incentives have been put in place to protect a mutual partnership with between the state government and investors.

FROM : HARUNA MUH’D GUSAU

Governor Bello Muhammad Matawalle of Zamfara state government has been commended for releasing N6.0 billion naira for the success implementations of social  protection programme in the state.

The advocacy Coordinator of Save the Children, Alhaji Nura Muhammad Bukkuyyum made the commendation during the occasion of this year’s World  International Day for People  with Disabilities held at the state Zakkat Conference hall, Bye pass road, Gusau.

Nura Muhammad said, Save the Children has been in Zamfara state since 2012, and  has done series of  programmes  in Talata Mafara, Bukkuyyum and Tsafe local government areas, respectively.

“currently, the international donor agency has introduced a social programme entitled ” Expanding Social Protection for Inclusive Development (ESPID) aimed at improving lives of poor people in the state” he noted.

According to the coordinator, Save the Children has  trained over 10,000 people on how to assist people with disabilities and other  persons both in  urban and rural areas of the state.

Mr Bukkuyum while appealling to the state House of Assembly for quick passig of a Bill on Social Protection Programme into law with a view to improve lives of people with  disabilities and poor ones in the state, the coordinator however used the event to commended Governor Dr Bello Muhammad Matawallen Maradun for appointing two key technical craftsmen Kabiru Balarabe (Sardaunan Dan Isa) who is presently the Secretary to the State Government and Kabiru Muhammad Gayari who is now the  Head of Service into his governmet.

In his address during the occasion, Zamfara state Governor Dr Bello Muhammad Matawalle who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Hon. Kabiru Balarabe (Saudaunan Dan Isa) said, the state government is aware of the efforts made by the Executive Chairman of the state Zakkat Board and further assured state government commitments to support the board financially to improve the welfare of less privileged in the state.

On the issue of Social Protection bill which is currently in the state House Assembly, Hon. Kabiru assured that very soon the Bill will be passed  in to law for improving  lives of the poor.