Zamfara Souvenir news

From : Bilyaminu Muhammad

Mobility Worldwide, a re-known reputable manufacturers of the Standard Mobility Carter in New York is to set up a plant for manufacturing locally cater for the use of disabled persons in  Zamfara state.

In a statement issued to newsmen by the Commissioner of Commerce and Industries, Hon. Yazid Shehu Danfulani who was in New York said the initiative will assist in  creating employment opportunities for the teeming unemployed youths in the state.

Hon. Yazid said the development was part of the outcome of an engagement made between Zamfara state government delegations led by Governor Bello Matawalle and company at New York in continuation of the Governor’s engagement at the United Nations.

” With the establishment of the company, Zamfara state government  would no doubt create job opportunities for the teeming unemployed youth in the state” he reiterated.

Governor Bello Matawalle who was represented by the Zamfara state Commissioner for Commerce and Industry Hon. Yazid Shehu Danfulani during a meeting with Director of Operations and CEO of Mobility Worldwide, Mr Cary Lowaing & Mr. Scott Walters agreed to partner with Zamfara state for the smooth take off of the plant in the state.

The statement further stated that at the end of the discussion the management of the company has donated two containers of Mobility Carts for distributions to over 500 disabled persons in the state.

“WHO data has demonstrated that there are over (70) million disabled persons worldwide and Zamfara state houses proportionate number of disabled just like any other states in the country” the Commissioner stated.

FROM SURAJO MUHAMMAD

Zamfara state House of Assembly has reviewed the 2021 appropriation budget of the state downward by N16 billion naira to allow the state government to implement the budget without much deficits.

In a statement issued to newsmen by the DG Media and Publicity of the House, Malam Mustapha Jafar Kaura stated that, the decision to review the budget downward was  as a result of the request sent to the lawmakers by Governor Bello Muhammad Matawalle via a letter signed by Secretary to the state government Kabiru Balarabe Dan-Isah on the issues.

The statement further said, while reading the letter, Speaker Magarya informed his colleague that due to the persistent security crises, the state government cannot go ahead in implementing deficit budget, hence the need to review the it downward became imperative.

While leading the debate on the floor of the House, the House leader, Hon. Faruk Dosara urged members of the House to give the request accelerated hearing considering its sensitivity.

” Since the state is implementing its budget inline with the IPSAS baseline, budget review is always imminent,, especially when the need arises” he added.

Contributing on the issue, the Deputy Speaker, Hon Musa Bawa Musa Yankuzo draw the attention of the House on the good work of late Hon  G Ahmad who was then the Chairman, House Committee on Finance and Appropriation that worked tremendously in passaged of this year’s budget which according to him should not go in vein, pointing out that, late Hon. G  Ahmad would continue to be remembered by this honourable house.

In his ruling Speaker,  Rt. Hon. Nasiru Muazu Magarya directed members to give the proposal first and second hearing, after which he ordered that the request be handed to house Committee on Finance and Appropriation to work on it and report back to the house within two weeks.

From: Gambo Abubakar Kaduna

Governor Malan Nasir Ahmed El-rufai of Kaduna state has presented before the state House of Assembly the sum of N233bn for the 2022 budget proposed budget.

Presenting the 2022 draft budget at Lugard House Kaduna and giving a further break down of the N233bn budget estimate, Governor El-Rufai disclosed that the budget a with expenditures of N146bn.and  recurrent spending of N87.6bn. has a capital to recurrent ratio of 63%:37%.

The governor however noted that, the 2022 estimates are slightly smaller than the 2021budget of N237.52bn, which had N157.56bn as capital expenditure, or 66% to 34% capital to recurrent ratio and  further said that, the priorities of the 2022 estimated are on education, health care and infrastructure, unlike previous budget and most of the capital spending will be in the economic and social sector’s, in keeping faith with our stated governance agenda. 

We proposed to devote 76.8% of the capital budget to schools, hospitals and infrastructure including housing capital spending on education is N68.4bn (29%) and for health N35.1bn (15%)’he added.Justifying the allocation, El-rufai said that “they will ensure that the urban renewal programs, which is the largest infrastructure investment’s in Kaduna state will be completed.

The governor further said that” his administration has aiso focused on maintaining the credentials as one of the foremost investment destination in Nigeria, attracting $2.8bn in investments and pledges.

El-rufai however said that his  government is looking forward to the commissioning of the Gujeni lron and Steel Plant of the African Natural Resources and Mines in Kagarko LGA early in 2022, as we commissioned the Tomato processing plant of Tomato Jos as  one of the investors in the agriculture sector in our state. “He said.

” we also expect the Dangote-Peugeot vehicle assembly project and the OCP fertilizer plant located along Kaduna-Abuja road to come on stream ” the governor also promised that.

According to him.”work is progressing well on the roads, Bridges and other infrastructure required for the Damau milk farm project, in collaboration with our state, Central Bank of Nigeria and ARLA,the European dairy giant.

He added that, “with  hiking tax rates, Kaduna state has became a top five state for internally generated revenue in Nigeria, collecting N59.7bn in taxes and levises in 2020 this is almost four times the N13bn that the state collected as IGR in 2015.”

Governor El-Rufai further expressed appreciation to the Kaduna state House of Assembly for the closed partnership that enabled the government to innovates and drive progressive outcome in the state.

From : Our Reporter
 
Newly sworn in 14 Local Government Council sole administrators have been advised to work hard in securing their respective areas from the menace of banditry.

Governor Bello Muhammad Matawalle of Zamfara state made the called at the Government House  Council Chambers  Gusau during the official swearing in ceremony of the 14 local Government sole administrators.

“Following the dissolution of the last set of administrators at the local government level, it had became necessary for me to reconstitute another one until the security situation improves to pave way for elections into the local government councils” Governor Matawalle stated.

Governor Bello Matawalle informed the new sole administrators that the situation in various local governments across the state requires their total commitment and uprightness which are some of the qualities considered in their selection and therefore warned them not to disappoint the confidence of the state government and the people just as he promised to support them in the quest to bring an end to banditry.

The administrators were equally subjected to swearing with the Holy Quran of their non-involvement in the activities of bandits. Governor Matawalle charged them to uphold this truth and ensure that his administration delivers its mandate of securing the state to pave way for accelerated development.

“Our mission is to implement policies and programmes that will assist in the positive transformation of our people’s lives. We are particularly determined to do all that is humanly possible to secure our state, restore mutual trust among our communities and create bountiful opportunities for people to realise their dreams of a better life.”, Governor Matawalle observed.

He called on them to work hand in hand with the security agencies in their localities to ensure strict compliance with Executive Order number 001 of 2021, which he signed on the 26th day of August 2021. 

“The security of lives and property of our people is the topmost priority of our administration; you must therefore work diligently towards the accomplishment of our mission of making Zamfara State peaceful.” Governor Matawalle concluded.

Those sworn in as Sole Administrators are: Ahmed Balarabe (Anka ), Dr Aminu Sulaiman Yarkufoji (Bakura) Kabiru Ladan Maigoro (Birnin-Magaji), Bashiru Muawiya (Bukkuyum), Mohammed Saddiq Maiturare (Bungudu), Abubakar Shehu Daki-Takwas. (Gummi), Sanusi Mohammed Sarki (Gusau). 

Others include Nasiru Altine Yakamata (Kauran Namoda), Umaru Muazu Naabu (Maradun), Salisu Isa D/Gulbi (Maru), Abdulrahman Bala (Shinkafi), Dahiru Maiyara Garbadu (Talata-Mafara), Aminu Mudi (Tsafe), Dr Auwal Ahmad  Bawa Moriki (Zurmi) respectively.

FROM SURAJO MUHAMMAD

Zamfara state House of Assembly has suspended two of its members who are allegedly contributing into the banditry activities in the state for three month pending the conclusion of an investigations level against them.

Members suspended according to the statement issued by the Director General, Zamafara state House of Assembly, Malam Mustapha Jafar Kaura are Hon. Yusuf Muhammad Anka representing Anka constituency and Hon. Ibrahim T. Tukur Bakura a member representing Bakura Constituency.

The statement further stated that the suspension of two members followed after a motion raised by Hon, Yusuf Alhasan Kanoma under the matter of Urgent Public Importance which is supported by a member representing B/Magaji Constituency Hon. Nura Dahiru Sabon Birnin Dan Ali.

After extensive deliveration on the issues according to the statement the house unanimously suspended the two members and ordered them to appear before the House Committee on Ethics and Privileges in conjunction with security agencies that are assigned by law to investigate them to come up with findings.

Earliar in his contributions on the issue, Hon. Yusuf Kanoma urged the house to suspend the lawmakers over allegations that they were collaborating with bandits in the state. 

 “During the kidnapped saga of the Speaker late father, Alhaji Muazu Abubakar Magarya particularly Yusuf Muhammad Anka and Ibrahim T Tukur Bakura were said to have been jubileting over the issues” Kanoma stated.

“One of them is suspected to have supplied information to bandits leading to the death of Him. Muhammad J. Ahmad, a member representing Shinkafi Constituency, who was killed on his way to Kano few months ago and one  of them was seen rejoicing after the kidnapped of our Speaker’s father, who died in bandits captivity,” Hon. Kanoma reiterated.

Responding on the allegations against the affected members, Speaker Rt. Hon.Nasiru Magarya directed the House Committee on Ethics and Privileges to investigate the matter and report to the house in three months.

In another development, the House  also screened and confirmed the 14 local government councils Sole Administrator as requested by the State Government.

During the seating members have  screened and  confirmed the following people as the sole administrators, Hon. Ahmad Balarabe Anka, Hon.Aminu Yarkofoji Bakura, Hon. Kabiru Maigoro Binin Magaji, Hon. Basiru Mu’awiyya Bukkuyum,  Hon. Muhammad Sadiq Maiturare Bungudu,  Hon. Abubakar Shehu Dakitakwas Gummi and Hon. Sanusi Muhammad Sarki Gusau.
Others includes Hon. Nasiru Altine Yakamata Kaura Namoda, Hon. Ummaru Muazu Na’abu Maradun, Hon. Salisu Isah Dangulbi Maru,  Hon. Abdulrahman Bala Shinkafi,  Hon. Aminu Mudi Tsafe, Hon. Dahiru Maiyara Garbadu Mafara and Hon. Dr Auwal Nawa Moriki Zurmi respectively.

FROM : HARUNA MUH’D GUSAU

Zamfara state Zakkat and Endorsement Board has distributed over N6 million naira assistance to orphans and less previlledge across the state.

Presenting the cash donations to the beneficiaries at the Conference Hall of Zakkat and Endowment Board Gusau, the Executive Chairman of the board, Malam Abubakar Muhammad Sodangi disclosed that the gesture was part the board commitments in reducing hardship and poverty among the people in the state.

Malam Sodangi said about 117 orphan and less previlledge have been selected committee constituted to screen the applicants who have the problems education, debt, health, rentage, business, feeding, building, marriage and emergencies benefited with cash rangining from N150,000 , N120, 000 N100,000, N50,000 N30,000 and N20,000 respectively.

According to him the gesture was part of his Excellency Dr Bello Muhammad Matawalle’s determination in ensuring that poverty and hardship are eradicated among the society in the state.

Malam Sodangi also used the occasion to remind well to do individuals in the state to redouble their efforts by aassisting orphans and less previlledge with a view to get Allah’s rewards here and there after and further called on beneficiaries to utilize the gesture properly.

From : Our Reporter

Governor Bello Muhammad Matawalle of Zamfara state has sworn- in  new Secretatary to the State Government, Head of Service, 18 Commissioners, 11 Special Advisers and some permanent secretaries in the state.

In a statement issued to newsmen by the Special Adviser to Governor on Public Enlightement, Media and Communication, Mallam Zailani Bappa said those sworn -in by the Executive Governor were Alhaji Kabiru Balarabe as the new Secretatary to the state Government, Alhaji Kabiru Muhammad Gayari, new Head of Service, commissioners, Special Advisers and 3 permanent Secretaries accordingly.

While congratulating the appointees according the statement, Governor Matawalle enjoined them to brace up for what he described as “the new beginning” an era of consolidating the gains recorded in the last two years of the administration and extolled the virtues of his Government’s new choice  and said, “A cursory overview of the antecedents of the members of the new team is enough to convince everyone that a new march to make Zamfara State great has begun”.

Governor Matawalle however, warned that his administration will not condone laxity or complacency at this critical hour of the state’s journey out of the woods as the bandits are fast being routed while a new beginning that will usher in peace and conducive atmosphere for development is assured.

Reviewing the successes being recorded as a result of the recent stringent measures taken to route the bandits in the state Governor Bello said hundreds of the bandits are already on the tun after hundreds of them have been killed and others arrested along with hundreds of their collaborators across the state.

“Aleady my administration has initiated palliative measures to address the hardship being experienced as a result of the measures earliar taken and called on our citizens to continue to exercise more patience as there is certainly a light beaming at the end of the tunnel” Matawalle emphasised.

In another development, Governor Matawalle during the event also reviewed his recent visits to the US and Turkey where he described the two -week official engagements as successful with several companies having signed MoUs with the Government on wide range of developmental initiatives cutting across  science, health, education, security and commerce.

He announced that a Turkish company will engage in the provision of fighter drones and its operation to further improve on the fight against the bandits in the state. This according to him will be consilidated on the 20th of this month when the Turkish President will arrives Nigeria to meet with President Muhammadu Buhari.

Governor Bello further stated that his Government has signed an MoU with  Cuba government and Board of Directors of MAP International, where he discussed issues releted to medical health supplies, particularly for IDP camps, and upgrading of medical equipments in Zamfara state hospitals. 

In appreciatoin, MAP has also donated five containers of hospital supplies, one of which is already on its way to Lagos and pledged to send more medical supply containers to supplement the five that had already been donated to the State. 

Other achievements recorded during the visit according to the statement includes meeting with the Turkish -Nigerian Business Congress with some Nigerian Governors and over 20 companies who are willing to invest in the concerned states. 

“We signed a memorandum of understanding with one of the investors to establish Mineral Resources and Gold buying centre in Zamfara state while others  to establish a Tomato paste   company, Yoghurt and Bottling Company and Animal Feed Company” Governor Bello stated.

FROM SURAJO MUHAMMAD

Zamfara Government has secured the  released of additional 200 people abducted by bandits, through peace dialogue and other security measures across the state.

Acting Governor and Speaker, Zamfara state House of Assembly, Hon. Nasiru My,azu Magarya disclosed this, when he received the delegation of the Conference of Speakers forum Legislatures in Nigeria who are in the state to condole the Speaker over the death of his father Alhaji Mu,azu Magarya.  

Hon. Magarya explained that, the  lingering insecurity facing Zamfara had been a concern to the Governor  Bello Matawalle-led administration.

He assured the visitors and people in the state of the government’s commitment in addressing the security challenges facing the state.

“Our father was abducted with his family in August this year. since then, the state government in collaboration with security agencies have been making efforts to secure their release but proved abortive” he explained.

He informed the august visitors the his members of the family including the three-month-old baby were successfully rescued.“But unfortunately, for our father, Alhaji Mu’azu Magarya, his time has come and as Muslims, we all believed that every life must have the beginning and the end” the Speaker stated.

“But unfortunately, for our father, Alhaji Mu’azu Magarya, his time has come and as Muslims, we all believed that every life must have the beginning and the end” the Speaker stated.

While thanking the Speaker forum for the visit on behalf of the family of the deceased, Zamfara Government and the state House of Assembly the acting Governor however announced the released of over 200 kidnapped victims through peace and dialogue, initiated by the present administration.

Earlier in his address, the Chairman of the Speakers’ Conference of Nigeria, Rt. Hon. Abubakar Sulaiman, Speaker, Bauchi state House of Assembly said the visit was to sympatise with the Zamfara Speaker, his family and people of the state, over the demise of his father, Alhaji Muazu Magarya.

“We were mandated by the conference to come to Zamfara despite the security challenges facing the state to condole  the family and the entire people of the state over the great loss” Sulaiman said.

From : Bilyaminu Muhammad

Zamfara State Government in collaborations with Turkish government has signed a MoU for the establishment of 5 companies of various business activities in the state.

In a statement issued to newsmen by the state Commissioner of Commerce, Industries and Tourism Hon. Yazid Shehu Umar Danfuni Gusau who was  among the entourage of His Excellency Bello Matawallen during the official visit to the country stated that already a memorandum of understanding has been signed by the two countries for the immediate establishment of the companies in the state.

According to the statement, Hon. Yazid Shehu was quoted saying that while in Turkey, Governor Bello Matawalle of Zamfara state has met with over 20 companies/potential investors who are ready to invest in  different businessess in the state.

Among the companies that have shows interest to invest in Zamfara state according to the statement are, Tomato Paste company,Yogurt and Bottling company, Investors in Textile and Renewable energy, Animals feed company ASISGUARD- a defence company operating in areas of manufacturing and operation of  armed drones, artificial intelligence, Electro- optical systems and military vehicle electronics and Fibre 
Others are Reinforcement material company, which specialize last in alternative reinforcement materials, aimed at substituting steel rods with rubber reinforcement, which is a more modern technology, RIDI (SESAME PROCESSING COMPANY), Highway and Building Construction Companies respectively.

Hon. Yazid Shehu further stated that during the visit to the country, Governor Matawalle discussed several areas that would improve the state and livelihood of the people of Zamfara particularly on the initiatives centered around generating alternative green energy and power to the state.

“Ernest discussions have already started— albeit in preliminary— with some of the companies to build wind turbines in some Local Government Areas of the state and furthe discussion  on solar power generating companies to harness solar energy, which is also a green energy, to generate power,” the statement stated. 

Hon. Yazid further mentioned that if the companies established  would undoubtedly ease doing businesses in the state and thus drive further His Excellency’s push for massive industrialization of the state and also resuscitate existing but dormant companies such as cotton ginneries and mills, which have unfortunately shut down due to lack or high cost of electricity.

“One of the major reasons the investors/ companies took great interest in Zamfara state is due to the availability of raw materials and government commitment to ending insecurity in the state and also a first class and well planned industrial layout that was well presented by His Excellency to them and the business congress” Hon. Yazid reiterated.

While commendimg the Turkish government for the warm reception accorded to the Zamfara state delegates during the visit Hon. Yazid Shehu further said the administration of Governor Bello Matawalle has assured the interested  companies of the state government’s unrelenting support, good enabling business environment and investor friendly policies such as those of not allowing multiple taxation.

Other feasible areas of investment like mining according to the Commissioner was also discussed with proposals by the investors to build supporting infrastructure like roads, schools and other social amenities as part of their social responsibility in other to give back to the community and ease the tension and suffering of the people living in the state.

“It was concluded that the companies will dispatch, as soon as possible, their teams of experts to Zamfara state to explore more viable areas of investment and conduct preliminary studies before actual documentation and take off” the statement further stated.