Address on the achievements of the administration, May–December 2023

Assalamu Alaikum, Dear Good People of Katsina State.

In the name of Allah, the most Beneficent and the most Merciful. It is with great pleasure and immense gratitude to Almighty Allah that I address you today to commemorate ushering of a new year and to brief you on the achievement of this administration within the seven months of our assumption into office.

As you are all aware, in the course of our electioneering campaign, several promises were made as contained in the blueprint [Building Your Future] developed toward uplifting the living condition of the citizenry of Katsina State. I am glad to inform you, that with Almighty Allah's guidance, your support and cooperation as well as your consistent prayers and goodwill, we are able to record modest achievements across all sectors of our socio-economic endeavors. I would like to express our thanks and appreciation to the good people of the state for the confidence reposed on us and for their unwavering commitment in supporting our vision and mission for a better and more prosperous Katsina State.

It is my sincere belief that, moving forward with such zeal, determination and cooperation, we shall be able to undertake more meaningful policies, programs and projects that will improve the quality of lives of our people.

I wish to inform you that from May 29th to December, 2023, a lot of achievements have been recorded especially in the areas of Security, Education, Health, Agriculture, Institutional reforms and other relevant sectors for the socio-economic development of the state.

Insecurity which has been of great concern not only to the people of Katsina State, but the Nation at large, is receiving tremendous attention by this Administration. You will agree with me that this is one area that even the global community is seriously grappling with at the moment.

Katsina State Government under my leadership has come up with a home-grown solution to decisively address the menace bedeviling our communities. The rising cases of kidnapping, Armed Banditry, Cattle Rustlings, and other forms of criminalities which have taken the center stage of our daily lives are being systematically tackled.

A full pledged Ministry of Internal Security and Home Affairs was established to reinvigorate the security architecture and strategy in tackling insecurity challenges. The State Government's idea of establishing the Community Watch Corps, to complement the efforts of security agencies, which has now become a model to our sister States is meant to recruit our own locals to engage the criminals for improved results and more effective service delivery for the good of our people. Under this security arrangement, a total of 1,466 Corps were trained and equipped to provide support in curtailing the menace of insecurity amongst our societies.

Government has also within the period procured 1,900 units of tactical combat equipment for the Katsina State Community Watch Corp at the total cost of N1,520,000,000.00 as well as sustaining the payment of monthly security operations allowances to security personnel in the State to the tune of N208 million Naira. This is in addition to constant engagement with security service chiefs to facilitate effective collaboration and operations. In a related development, Police Patrol Vehicles were overhauled at the total cost of N50 million Naira to improve routine surveillance.

Moreover, to further facilitate the efficient services of security agencies, the State Government has procured and provided 10No. Armored Personnel Carriers, 61No. Branded Hilux vehicles, 700No. Motorcycles, drones, communication network, trackers and other related working materials at the total cost of N10,869,717,918:88. In order to further strengthen the security architecture of the State, Government has also procured additional 3No. Armored Personnel Carriers vehicles for effective routine operations at the cost of N630,000,000:00. Fellow good people of Katsina State, Government has recognized the importance of community participation in the fight against insecurity and has therefore engaged 918 No. Local Government security committee members and 9,747 No. ward security committee members across the State. And only recently, the State administration has established Hisbah Board to inculcate good values and check societal vices being perpetrated across the nooks and crannies of the state. Also established, is the committee on encroached cattle routes and grazing reserves to checkmate farmers-herders conflict.

Furthermore, a joint Security Operations Communication Centre was established to improve intelligence gathering and assist security agencies in carrying out operations at all the security flash points in the State.

Government has also shown concern on victims of banditry and cattle rustling by expending the sum of N114,988,782:44 to address their plight.

I would like to assure the good people of Katsina State that Government is ever ready to put in more efforts and resources to restore peace, stability and progress in our dear State within the shortest possible time.

While efforts are being intensified to restore normalcy, Government has also made some giant strides in the education sector.

Education which is a vital instrument for any meaningful development has received a boost through provision of infrastructure, recruitment of teachers, sponsorship of students to study abroad, teacher training, payment of scholarship and several other interventions. To hit the ground running, Government has renamed the Ministry of Education to that of Ministry for Secondary and Basic Education and upgraded the Department of Higher Education to a fullpledged Ministry of Higher Education, Vocational and Technical Education in order to address the challenges of tertiary education and vocational training simultaneously for better and optimum result.

I am happy to inform you that within the seven-month period of our stewardship, Government has approved the construction of 75 new Secondary Schools across the State at the total cost of N5,688,693,220.38, under the AGILE Program.

Moreover, Government has approved the disbursement of Mega grant to 15No. secondary schools for Phase I to the tune of N1,500,000,000.00, in addition to disbursement of grant to 100No. selected secondary schools across the state in Phase II where each school N44,750,000.00, totaling received sum the of N4,475,000,000.00. We have also paid for compliance monitoring of first and second cohorts of the 54,741 CCT beneficiaries to enable them attain 70% attendance rate and promotion to upper grade for the third term 2022/2023 Academic Session to the tune of N547,410,000.00. Similarly, Government has disbursed the sum of N245,855,000.00 for the third cohorts of Girls Scholarship to 49,370No. mothers and caregivers across the State.

Under the Better Education Service Delivery for All (BESDA) Programme, Government has procured equipment and grants for primary schools across the state to the tune of N1,833,025,146.00. while the sum of N2,240,281,377.80 was spent for the rehabilitation, construction and supply of furniture under UBEC programme.

In a bid to ease the burden of payment of examination fees by parents and students, Government has within the period paid the sum of N1,390,861,100.00 as examination fees for WAEC, NECO, NBAIS and NABTEB for the year 2023. The sum of N177,023,211.00 was also settled as outstanding liability for NECO Examination fees. This is in addition to the payment of N73,118,500.00 and N43,711,611.00 for the conduct of Basic Examination Certificate and conduct of Qualifying examination for SS II students respectively. This is in addition to the payment of N14,482,250.00 for the rehabilitation of CBT Centres at Dutsinma, Daura and Malumfashi. In order to pave the way for award of new contracts for effective service delivery to

our people, Government has deemed it fit to settle outstanding payments of N146,578,788.00 for the rehabilitation of structures at GDSS Jikamshi, GDSS Kambarawa, as well as GDSS Zango. The importance of instructional materials in the development of education sector cannot be over emphasized. Accordingly, the sum of N271,665,000.00 was expended for the procurement of customized instructional materials for distribution to primary schools across the State. Continuous Assessment Booklet for Junior and Senior Secondary Schools were also printed and distributed at the total cost of N150,000,000.00.

In view of the need to encourage integration and enhance representation in Unity and Federal Government Secondary Schools, Government has paid the sum of N15,048,000.00 as school fees for new intake students at Federal Government Colleges for the year 2023/24 and N95,562,531.00 as school fees for sponsored returning students at Federal Government Colleges for the year 2023/24. Government has also within the period approved the conduct of census of primary and secondary schools across the State at the total cost of N92,823,500.00. We have also been able to settle the outstanding payment of N79,025,300.00 of sponsored students at Federal Government Colleges.

My dear people of Katsina State, this administration has ensured the payment of N37,111,620.00 as running cost to secondary schools in the State, in addition to settlement of N92,779,050.00 as outstanding payments for previous running cost. As for boarding students, the sum of N355,773,600.00 was expanded to feed them within the seven-month period.

As a morale booster to practitioners in the sector, an Award was instituted for the best teacher of the year, to which two vehicles were won by two teachers.

My dear brothers and sisters, in addition to ensuring the improvement of our education sector, the quality of health of our people is also given adequate attention. Within the period under review, government has approved the sponsorship of 41No. medical students to study MBBS and ensure payment of their two-year tuition fees and upkeep amounting to N774,344,600.00. We have also recruited additional 94No. health personnel for the Secondary Health facilities in the State including Medical Doctors, Nurses/Midwives, Medical Lab Scientists and Pharmacists. In addition, the entry point for Medical Doctors and upward review of Residency Allowance was also enhanced. Aside from human resource development, the health sector has also received its desired attention through the construction and equipping of 12-bed capacity dialysis centre at General Amadi Rimi Specialist Hospital Katsina at the total cost of N681,104,727.72. Faskari Comprehensive Health Centre was also upgraded to a fullpledged General Hospital at the cost of N599,985,000.00. Government has also renovated and upgraded some hospital facilities across the State to the tune of N49,905,622.00. Similarly, E-health solution was deployed to 7No. health facilities across the State for enhanced efficiency in healthcare delivery service. Accordingly, the sum of N200,000,000.00 was paid as counterpart funding to UNICEF for Nutrition Commodities. The administration has also procured Hospital equipment and other medical supplies to the tune of N95,976,784.00.

In order to improve the capacity of ward focal persons and LGA's cold chain officers in monitoring and supervision of routine and outreach immunization activities at community level the sum of N217,800,000.00 was expended for the procurement and distribution of 198No. Motorcycles. Government has also distributed Laptop Computers to LGA monitoring and evaluation officers to enable them manage data for evidence-based decision making in healthcare delivery at the cost of N17,100,000.00. The sum of N46,000,000.00 was also spent for the procurement and distribution of commodities for containment of Diphtheria outbreak, in addition to procurement and distribution of vaccine carriers through GAVI Health system strengthening to the tune of N16,500,000.00.

The State Government has also procured and distributed hospital equipment through KTSCHMA reserve funds and Basic Healthcare Provision Fund [BHCPF] direct facility funding at the total cost of N42,000,000.00. Under this scheme, 150No. Midwives were engaged at the cost of N20,657,500.00. The administration has also procured 1No. brand new Mobile Clinic Ambulance for allocation to Health Service Management Board at the cost of N145,000,000.00. As part of non-polio supplemental immunization activities conducted in October last year, a total of 2,216,573 eligible children were reached at the cost of N78,159,116.00. Healthcare workers on integrated management of childhood illness were also trained at the cost of N40,000,000.00. Also the sum of N18,565,000.00 was expended for COVID-19 Ramp-up as part of preventive measures against the Covid-19 infection.

Within the period under review, we have conducted a training program for transitioning of Voluntary Community Mobilizers to Community Health influencers, promoters and service provider in order to improve access and equitable coverage of primary healthcare services at the cost of N65,440,000.00. The monthly Oral Poliovirus Vaccination was also carried out at the cost of N150,163,116.00.

The State Government has also initiated, pursued, and obtained a donation of Hospital equipment from the World Medical Relief, USA worth N10,000,000,000.00.

Dear good people of Katsina State, Government has made adequate plans to ensure more dividend of democracy to our people. In order to respond to the plight of the poor, the State Government has purchased 95,000 bags of assorted grains for the State and 72,200 bags of assorted grains for 34 LGAs at the total cost of N10,677,125,000.00 for sale to the general public at a subsidized rate.

We also purchased 40,000 bags of 50kg rice at the total cost of N2,100,000,000.00 as palliatives to our people. The Vulnerable women and elderly people across three senatorial zones of the State were provided with palliatives to the tune of N100,000,000.00. This is in addition to the distribution of materials by SEMA to the tune of N63,042,400.00.

As part of support to the education of Orphans and empowerment of widows of banditry victims, the sum of 114,988,782.44 has been expended to them. A data-base for the poor and vulnerable households is also being developed to address the socio-economic needs of the vulnerable members of our society.

Government has also established the Social Protection Agency, Government Enterprise and Empowerment Programme as well as Katsina State Small Town and Water Sanitation Agency to address the social sector needs of our people.

In the same vein, Government has made frantic effort to ensure efficient and quality water supply to our people through the procurement of water treatment chemical for 9No. water treatment plans across the State in the third and fourth quarter of 2023 to the tune of N789,600,390.00. We have also procured and installed 1No. MARAPKO 6000 series Generating set for Dutsinma water treatment plant at the cost of N76,942,872.50. The repair of operational plants and vehicles was also carried out at the cost of N101,678,153.72. In order to meet the demand of intra-state and Katsina City Services, the State Transport Authority (KTSTA) has procured 47No. fairly used TOYOTA HIACE Buses at the cost N600,652,000.00.

A clean and safer environment is also a pre-requisite for better life and improved living condition. In that regard, Government has undertaken maintenance of 25No. waste disposal trucks at the cost of N75,024,000.00 control emergency site to the tune of N10,845,240,547.57 to ensure evacuation of waste disposal in our communities. Government has established Katsina State Erosion and Watershed Management Agency to ensure constant erosion control and further curtail flooding in the State. Approval has also been granted for the payment of N573,086,331.67 in respect of various flood and erosion control projects across the State. Furthermore, approval has been granted for the construction of Storm Water Drainage Management in Katsina Metropolis phase 2 at the cost of 11,249,217,635.25. We have also approved the construction of Phase II intervention Riverbank protection for Jibia town, flood As you are all aware, Agriculture is the mainstay of our economy, Government has recently supplied 1,170 farmers with agricultural inputs worth N140,106,330.00. Also 12,250 farmers received agricultural assets worth N763,199,500.00.

As part of the preparation for the full take-off of Katsina State Irrigation Development Authority, inputs were distributed to 2,040 Dry season farmers. This is in addition to 204 water solar pumps, 204 tube wells and capacity building for 2,040 beneficiaries at the total cost of N1,962,203,197.50. The sum of N299,531,550.00 was alsospent on the construction of small earth dams at Dan-chaffa, Kankara and Dandume.

Government has also recognized the importance of a robust NMSME eco-system that target wealth creation and employment generation. Consequently, Government has established Katsina State Enterprise Development Agency to implement the state policy on NMSME. At this juncture, I am happy to inform you about the payment of our contribution to the tune of N2,000,000,000.00 to NGCares Programme under three results areas of KASEDA, FADAMA and

CSDA. Under this programme 6,100 beneficiaries received cash grants worth N300,000,000.00. The State Government has also approved the sum of N800,000,000.00 for re-capitalization of State-owned Micro Finance Bank in addition to procurement of IT equipment worth N230,000,000.00.

The State Government has also recently approved the implementation of Treasury Single Account (TSA) in order to block all revenue leakages. Approval has already been given for the provision of Turnkey solution for the enhancement of revenue generation at the total cost of N516,000,000.00 In a bid to have a reformed public sector guided by good governance, sincerity of purpose and passionate commitment to Service, Government has established new Agencies, re-structured some MDA's, merged and created new ones. Newly created MDA's includes Fiscal Responsibility Commission, Anti-Corruption and Public Complain Commission, Development Management Board, State Enterprise Development Agency, State Assets Management Agency, amongst others. Government has also subjected all recruitments under State and unified Local Government Service to merit-based test and interviews as well as re-introduce promotional examination. In addition, a meritbased selection procedure for appointment into the position of Permanent Secretaries was introduced. The establishment of ICT Directorate by the State is meant to drive the processes of EGovernance and so far 1,600 officers were trained on computer application. As part of measures to attend to the plight of pensioners, Government has paid the sum of N545,000,000.00 as outstanding gratuity to retirees of the last quarter of 2019. Comprehensive plan to clear all back log of gratuities of 2020 to date has been worked out. The sum of N1,829,877,486.46 has been approved for payment of death gratuity for deceased State workers, while the sum of N3,021,582,858.70 has been approved to pay death gratuity for Local Governments and LGEAs deceased staff, the payment to be effected from January to June 2024. With regards to workers' welfare, wage award of the sum of N10,000.00 and N5,000.00 to all workers and pensioners respectively was also approved with effect from January, 2024. The Refurbishing loan to civil servants also got a boost with the release of additional N200,000,000.00 on the already revolving N250,000,000.00. Also approved for the good of the civil servants in the State, is the implementation of Contributory Pension Scheme for sustainability of the payment of retirement benefits.

To ensure continuous and smooth running of governance, 81No. assorted vehicles were procured for the convoys of their Excellences the Governor and his Deputy, members of the State Executive Council as well as for their aides at the total cost of N4,923,095,598.14. The administration has also carried out the renovation of building of the proposed Katsina State Pension Commission at the cost of N77,841,000.00, renovation and furnishing of Governor's Office and lodge at Government House, Katsina at the cost of N320,614,299.35 and the renovation of structures at the Deputy Governor's lodge in Katsina and Abuja at the total cost of N435,108,069.71. Renovation exercise were also carried out at the officia residences of the SGS, first lady office complex, commissioner Quarters, official residence of Governor's aides all in Katsina and the

Governor's lodge in Kaduna at the total cost of N737,270,960.95 The former headquarters of the Katsina State Science and Technical Education Board has also received a boost with its renovation at the total cost of N98,947,530.15, for utilization of the offices by some MDA's. Similarly, the former RUWASSA Office Complex was also renovated and upgraded at the cost of N66,803,633.63 to accommodate some MDAs.

It is also the desire of this administration to have cities with defined addresses and comprehensive master plan. Consequently, government has established Katsina Geographical Information Services Law of 2023 and restructures the Urban and Regional Planning to meet the needs of the present situation in the state. In a bid to provide an enabling environment for business to thrive in the State, the Umaru Musa International Airport has received Government's special attention by expending the sum of N283,720,519.30 as compensation for the expansion of the Airport and construction of Central Airforce Flying School at Modoji to the tune of N120,347,904.40, respectively.

In order to promote harmonious co-existence, equitable distribution of wealth and socioeconomic development, Government has established and appointed Zakkat and Waqaf Board. Payment of monthly allowances to 7,545 Juma'at Imams, Na'ibis and Ladan's across the State was instituted to incentivize them towards inculcating good values and morals for the betterment of our society.

Let me at this juncture assure the good people of Katsina State that Government will continue to implement programmes, policies and projects that will impact positively on the live citizenry of the State. Government would continue to respond to the yearnings and aspirations of State's populace. This would be vigorously pursued in this New Year and subsequent years Insha Allah. Democracy is about people and for the people, we shall therefore not relent in our unwavering commitment to serve people for the improvement of their lots. The timely passage and signing of the 2024 Budget is an indication of our collective commitment to earnestly pursue laid down programmes for optimum service delivery.

I will like to conclude by thanking members of the Legislative Arm of Government for their excellent cooperation with the Executive in the interest of the people of Katsina State. Governance as a collective responsibility needs all hands-on deck for greater result. Accordingly, I wish to express our appreciation to the Judiciary. Public Servants, Traditional Institutions, Religious Bodies, business community, women and youth groups as well as all relevant stakeholders in Katsina Build Your Future Project. It is my belief that by working together, Katsina State will witness tremendous progress, growth and prosperity. Let's endure and work as a team for a befitting legacy for our people and subsequent generations.

Thank you very much, and May Almighty Allah Bless you all.