Economic Confidential, November, 2009

STATES

Kano has highest Allocation for Agriculture

The 13 per cent allocation to agriculture in the 2009 Kano state budgetary proposal remains the highest so far in the country. The state commissioner of agriculture and natural resources, Alhaji Musa Sulaiman Shanono disclosed this at the 2009 Annual Planning Monitoring and Evaluation Workshop in Kano saying that as a result of the state government’s intervention, crop production has increased from 1.6 million tonnes in 2003 to 4.2 million tonnes in 2008, adding that rice production during the period also increased from 79,000 metric tonnes in 2003 to 215,000 metric tonnes in 2003/2008.

According to him, the state government has been paying serious attention to documentation and publication of the activities of government in a scale that is unprecedented, stressing that the effort was born out of government’s appreciation of the strategic importance of intimate decision-making, policy and planning.

He, however, revealed that from 2003 to date, the state government has disbursed more than N4 billion as intervention fund to various farmers associations across the 44 local governments in the state, saying as custodians of the farmers they have a vital role to play.

The commissioner stated that the state government has been supporting agriculture in order to enhance food security in the state and the nation at large, increase employment and reduce poverty under the Special Mass Food Production programme.

Kaduna Rail Service Commended

As the federal government approved award of contract for construction of a rail line from Kaduna to Abuja, the management of the Nigeria Railway Corporation  has commended Governor Namadi Sambo of Kaduna State over the impressed effort of resuscitation of rail services in Kaduna state within a short period of time.

The Managing Director of the  Corporation, Adeseyi Sijuade, in  statement said that “The Nigerian Railway Board, Management and  staff have watched with great amazement yet with pride the story of the Kaduna State Government’s Metropolitan Transport Services Operations  and concluded that Governor Sambo’s steadfast belief in the ability and capacity of the Nigerian railway system as the real mass carrier in any public transportation chain deserves commendation.

“We praise and hold out for emulation by all other state governments who are truly concerned with public transportation and mass movement of goods and persons, safely and affordably.”

The statement further stated: “We recall the fact that your decision to partner with the NRC when most others have lost faith and interest in rail transportation  made you our number one ‘MR RAILWAY’ and most valuable image maker deserving of the corporation’s commendation, praise and a place in the NRC’s “Hall of Fame.”

Anambra Releases N100m for Laboratories

Anambra State Governor, Mr. Peter Obi has presented cheques totalling over one hundred million naira for rehabilitation of science laboratories in about 40 schools in the state.

The principals of the benefiting schools, which cut across all the educational zones state, were in the Government House, Awka, to collect their cheques.

While presenting the cheques, Obi said that government would within the next few weeks provide the schools with science equipment for their laboratories, adding that his administration would soon provide all schools with functional libraries while massive distribution of computers to schools will re-commence in few weeks time.

Obi said that gross neglect of the education sector by previous administrations resulted to collapse and deterioration of basic infrastructure and amenities, which his administration is working hard to change, insisting that education is the most durable legacy one can leave in the society.

The state Commissioner for Education, Dr. Kay Onyechi said Governor Obi’s huge investment in the sector had turned around all levels of education in the state and had empowered the students to distinguish themselves in national and international competitions.

He noted that the governor’s visits to schools have enabled him to identify their various problems and commended him for prompt response to the needs of the schools. was a man of his word who had entrenched transparency, accountability and rule of law in governance as well as the first

Osun Presents N113bn budget to Legislators

Osun State Governor, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, has presented a balanced budget of N113 billion to the State House of Assembly with a declaration that his government would ensure that the state got value for money spent on projects.

Govenor Oyinlola also used the occasion to warn that his government would step on many toes of indigenous contractors whose performance fell short of expectations.

The Speaker, Hon. Adejare Bello, had earlier noted that the government had in the last six years committed large sums of money to road construction but regretted that some of the contractors had performed poorly.

 The governor, who presented an estimate of N21.8 billion for the transportation sector in the coming year, agreed with the speaker that “the greatest disappointment had come from indigenous contractors.”

He said he would rather step on toes “and be abused” rather than compromise on standards and quality in the delivery of dividends of democracy to the people.

Delta to Rehabilitate FG

Delta State government would embark on rehabilitation of all roads in the state, including those owned by Federal Government because of its concern for good road and safety of the people.

The governor of the state, Emmanuel Uduaghan stated this while inspecting the state Direct Labour Agency (DLA) rehabilitation work on the Delta Steel Company (DSC) round-about Effurun.

According to him, the state was not expecting any refund from the Federal Government for the money expended on the project. The governor, however, criticized the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency, FERMA, for abandoning its duty of maintaining Federal Government roads in the state. He said the state government embarked on the repairs of the road because of its benefits to the people.