Kano State Government is to spend about N3.4 billion on projects and key policy decisions, Commissioner of Information and Internal Affairs, Ibrahim Abdullahi Waiya, has stated.
Waiya said the approval was given at the 25th State Executive Council (SEC) meeting, after deliberating on critical governance matters.
During the meeting, the Executive Council approved a total of N3,398,144,284.04 for various infrastructural, health, education, and social welfare projects, Waiya said.
Among the major approvals is N148.9 million for the maintenance of the School of Technology road network, alongside an additional N367.9 million advance payment for the expansion of Zaria Road.
“To improve the state’s electrical infrastructure, the Council approved N612.4 million for converting external electrical systems to an underground network at Government House and relocating power lines along Ahmadu Bello Way.
“In the health sector, N184 million has been earmarked for the procurement of ambulances for Government House Clinic and Nuhu Bamalli Maternity Hospital, while N195 million has been allocated as counterpart funding for the Free Maternal, Neonatal, and Child Health, as well as Free Accident and Emergency programs.
“Furthermore, N348.2 million has been approved for the settlement of electricity bills owed to the Kano Electricity Distribution Company (KEDCO) for November and December 2024.
“The government remains committed to education and student welfare, as reflected in the approval of N662.5 million for the feeding of boarding school students for the third, fourth, and fifth weeks of the current academic term.
“Additionally, in a move to address environmental challenges, the Council has allocated N642.5 million as compensation under the Resettlement Action Plan (RAP) at the Bulbula/Gayawa Erosion Site.
“The state government has also approved N136.4 million to complete the remaining 50% payment of hazard and excess workload allowances for non-academic staff at Aliko Dangote University of Science and Technology.
“To support the Nigeria Union of Pensioners in organizing their Quadrennial Delegates Conference in Kano, N100 million has been granted as financial assistance,” he said.
The Executive Council also approved significant policy decisions aimed at improving governance and public welfare.
One of the key decisions is the salary increment for academic and non-academic staff in all tertiary institutions across the state, with academic staff receiving a 25% increase and non-academic staff benefiting from a 35% increase, the Information commissioner said.