Governor Dauda Lawal had boosted the transportation sector in Zamfara State by distributing 50 new buses to the Zamfara State chapter of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW).
The buses were officially handed over to recipients on Wednesday at the Government House in Gusau. A statement by the governor’s spokesperson, Sulaiman Bala Idris, disclosed that the Zamfara State Government provided the 50 buses to the NURTW as a loan under the Zamfara State Loan Scheme. The statement added that part of the critical assets distributed includes five fire trucks procured to support effective firefighting.
In his remarks, Governor Lawal reiterated that the loan scheme is part of his administration’s efforts to improve the public transportation system, promote economic empowerment, and enhance the safety and efficiency of transportation for our people.
He said, “The buses would be distributed to the NURTW on loan, under the Zamfara State Loan Scheme. The union has agreed to participate in the identification, supervision, and repayment of its members’ vehicles. “Under this scheme, the vehicles were procured at the cost of N27,390,000.00 only. However, the Government will provide a 20% subsidy on the total cost of each vehicle.
“This represents the sum of N5,478,000.00 per vehicle. Therefore, each beneficiary will pay N21,912,000.00 per vehicle within 44 months of vehicle allocation. “We are also commissioning 5 units of fire trucks procured for an effective firefighting mechanism. “We are aware that fire outbreaks can destroy homes, shops, and livelihoods in seconds. These new fire trucks, equipped with modern standards, will strengthen the state fire service’s capacity to respond faster across all nooks and crannies of the State.
“I, therefore, charge the Fire Service to complement these efforts by ensuring adequate training of its personnel, conducting public fire-safety sensitisation, and always keeping the equipment in serviceable condition.” The governor further emphasised that the assets distributed belong to the people of Zamfara State. “I direct all MDAs and beneficiaries to submit quarterly maintenance and utilisation reports to their respective reporting Offices. I want to emphasise that vandalism, misuse, or diversion will not be tolerated.”
Zamfara gov’t earmarks N7.2 billion for 375 community projects
The Zamfara Government had earmarked N7.2 billion for development projects in 375 communities across the state.
The programme is under the Nigeria Community Action for Resilience and Economic Stimulus (NG-CARES), a World Bank-funded project. Zamfara Deputy Governor Mani Mummuni disclosed this in Gusau on Tuesday while flagging off free project implementation training for participants from 158 communities across the state.
He said Governor Dauda Lawal had approved N7.2 billion for various community development projects through the State Community and Social Development Agency (CSDA). The deputy governor said the approval would finance 375 community development projects across the state’s 14 Local Government Areas. He said the projects cover health, education, water supply, agriculture, and drainage, among others. “They will be implemented by Community Project Monitoring Committees (CPMCs) under CSDA supervision,” he said.
Mr Mummuni reiterated the state government’s commitment to providing social amenities to vulnerable communities.
He urged participants to ensure transparency and accountability in managing resources for project execution in their communities. “This is part of Governor Lawal’s administration’s effort to extend the dividends of democracy to the people, especially at the grassroots level. “I believe this training under CSDA will encourage community participation in project implementation. “It will also promote transparency, accountability, and commitment to the development of your communities,” the deputy governor said.
In his remarks, the General Manager of CSDA, Umar Nakwada, said participants were drawn from CPMCs responsible for monitoring projects in their communities. Also speaking, the State NG-CARES Coordinator, Mukhtar Ibrahim, commended the Zamfara Government for supporting the livelihoods of vulnerable households.
Inclusive governance: Lawal appoints aide on sign language
Governor Dauda Lawal approved the appointment of Ibrahim Sani as Special Assistant on Sign Language Interpretation. Announcing the approval, the Secretary to the Zamfara State Government, Malam Abubakar Mohammad Nakwada, said the move is part of the administration’s commitment to inclusive governance.
The appointment will bridge communication gaps and enhance effective engagement between the government and Persons with Hearing Impairment in all government activities. The development also aligns with provisions of the State’s Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities Prohibition Law.
