Isa Sa'idu
2 October 2008
The Kaduna State Government is to build 900 houses within the next three years of its tenure to reduce the suffering faced by residents.
The State Governor, Arc Namadi Sambo, made this known at the Eid-el-Fitr traditional Hawan Bariki which took place at the governor's lodge in GRA, Sabon Gari, Zaria.
"In fulfillment of our campaign promises and as part of our efforts to reduce the problem of housing in the state, we have decided to begin the construction of 300 houses every year. The houses will be distributed in all the major cities of the state," Gov Sambo said.
The governor also said the state's railway project will be extended to Zaria and as part of his administration's strive to improve the state's transportation sector and to help the people at the grassroots. Governor Sambo explained that the railway project in the Kaduna metropolis has begun to achieve its objectives, hence the need to extend it to other parts of the state.
Earlier in his address, the Emir of Zazzau, Alhaji Shehu Idris, had expressed his emirate's gratitude for the dualisation of Babban Dodo - Kofar Kuyan bana road, "but we are requesting His Excellency, Arc Namadi Sambo, to do something about the snail-speed of the work. Our people have given all the necessary cooperation there is.
Therefore, the need to ensure speedy completion of the work," Alhaji Idris remarked.
Governor Sambo also said his administration is pumping about N700million into its poverty alleviation programme.
According to the governor, the money will be used to support groups and individuals, to either learn a vocation or improve their existing businesses. He said the identification of those to benefit from the disbursement has since begun.
Governor Sambo said this while receiving the Emir of Zazzau, Alhaji Shehu Idris, who paid the Governor Sallah homage at the Kaduna State Governor's lodge in GRA, Sabon Gari, Zaria.
"Apart from the N700million we earmarked for the state's poverty alleviation programme, the State House of Assembly has recently approved the formation of the Kaduna State Health Agency where the state and the local governments will be making a monthly contribution of N60million to the agency. This is to revive our grassroots dispensary clinics because we have realised that local governments alone cannot handle issues of community healthcare. The fund to be realised by the agency will also be used in the fight against malaria," Gov Sambo remarked.
In his speech, Alhaji Shehu Idris, the Emir of Zazzau, expressed gratitude to the Kaduna State Government in its efforts to find a lasting solution to the Zaria water crisis.
"We would like to thank the state government for the award of the Zaria water project contract that will cost the state billions of naira. We would like to, however, urge the state government to ensure dispatch of water into the various water tanks that were mounted in different parts of the city as a temporary measure before the completion of the main water project. This will help in dipping the sufferings of the residents who on many occasions, water scarcity denies the chance of putting food on the table," Alhaji Idris said.
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