Gov Shema: Two years after!

Since the time Governor Shehu Shema of Katsina state assumed office as the chief executive of the state two year ago, he has executed a number of developmental projects that have direct bearing on the lives of the people of the state. Indeed he has followed the steps of his predecessor, the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Alhaji Umaru Musa Yar’adua, in providing the dividends of democracy to the people of the state.

Gov. Ibrahim Shema

With the physical developments in Katsina state, the governor’s posture in delivering dividends of democracy to his people, and its efforts to uplift the lives of the people in the state, the people of Katsina state are now enjoying the real democracy dividends.
Governor Shema has so far completed the state university project which was commissioned by the President himself, the Katsina International Airport, the completion of the 169- bed maternal and child international hospital in Katsina named after the First Lady and some ofthe on going road projects all initiated by the President, Alhaji Umaru Musa Yar’adua when he was governor. Other projects completed by the Shema administration include a number of rural roads across the state. All these projects will go a long way in improving the lives of the people of the state.

Umaru Yaradua University Library

With the quick passage of the 2009 budget proposal of 70 billion Naira by the state House of Assembly in the first week of January, 2009, this has given the state government a clean slate to continue implementing its programmes and policies which are aimed at the socio-economic transformation of the state.
The governor during his swearing-in ceremony on 29th May, 2007 said education and agriculture remain the policy thrust of his administration, no wonder the state government spends huge sums of money in these two vital sectors of the economy.

Umaru Yaradua University, Katsina

The Katsina state government under the leadership of Governor Ibrahim Shema spent 35 million naira to sponsor over 17,000 teachers in its in service training. The government also released 832 million Naira on girl-child education programme (GEP) being implemented jointly with some donor agencies. The government’s directive to local governments in Katsina state to have a new primary school for girls would boost girl-child education in the state, about 34 girls primary schools are under construction under this programme.

Gov. Shema with US Ambassador to Nigeria, Mrs R. Sanders

The administration of Governor Ibrahim Shema has in March 2009, approved the implementation of 27.5 per cent increment in the salaries of teachers in primary and post-primary schools in the state. As a testimony of his administration’s commitment to the education programme, about 5,000 motorcycles were given to primary teachers across the state as a loan. Approval was recently given by the state executive council for the payment of 2009 students bursary the amounting to 384 million Naira.
Interestingly too, UBE programme has continued to enjoy the support of the government with the construction of blocks of two and three classrooms, offices, stores and toilets and the supply of school furniture worth over 45 million Naira. This in addition to construction of storey buildings in many primary schools. As a result of these developments, Katsina state emerged the overall best state in the implementation of UBE programme under the administration of Governor Ibrahim Shehu Shema.

Also, the purchase of 52-seater buses for students mass transit programme helps in transporting them to schools. The introduction of this school bus programme has also enhanced learning activities by the pupils. The state government is also constructing over 70 new day secondary schools all over the state in order to give access to education to people at the grass- roots. This is in addition to the award of contract for the expansion of some secondary schools at a cost of over 1.6 billion Naira. And as part of measures to encourage enrollment in schools, the administration of Governor Ibrahim Shema has abolished all forms of fees being paid by parents including examinations fees.
On tertiary education, the three state- owned institutions of higher learning are given adequate attention with prompt release of money for capital projects and payment of CONSTISS salary for their staff. In its efforts to support educational development in the state the government has already completed the state university project, in addition to provision of necessary infrastructure to achieve the set goals.
On agricultural development, the administration of Governor Ibrahim Shema has embraced various farming techniques to boost agriculture and provide succor to farmers. For instance, the expansion of Jibia Dam irrigation sites by cultivating about 1,500 hectares of land is a way of achieving self-sufficiency in food production under the state agricultural implementation committee.

A Section of Jibia Dam

With the ongoing partnership with ABU Zaria where a blue print on how to revamp all aspects of agricultural practice in the state was submitted to the state government, this will certainly improves the lives of the people and revamp agricultural activities in the state.
Government is also tackling food security in the state through the expansion and rehabilitation of the grain silos in Katsina where work is being carried out by the state government at a cost of 54 million Naira. The state executive council recently approved the sales of 15,000 metric tones of assorted fertilizers to the people of the state. This will boost farming activities in the state.
One of the several projects initiated by the Governor Ibrahim Shema’s administration to empower youths in the state is the construction of the Katsina youth craft village along Mani road consisting of eight workshops and eight sheds in the centre and supporting 50 youths on high tech welding techniques at Sapele.

In order to improve small-scale businesses in the state, the government through the department of small and medium-scale enterprises has released the sum of two million Naira to Katsina state Yam Sellers Association for distribution to members on loan. Also over 100 million naira has already been disbursed to small-scale businesses across the state in the first phase; the department has disbursed a loan to three selected entrepreneurs that include operators of tailoring, welding and block makimg across the state. The establishment of 28 paint-making cottage industries and 20 chalk producing industries across the state at a cost of more than 135.7 million Naira has certainly provided employment to the youth.
The Katsina state executive council under the leadership of Governor Ibrahim Shema has approved 106.2 million Naira for implementation of two new loan schemes to promote small and medium-enterprises and self-reliance among the youth. The two schemes include the youth entrepreneurship programme and the small and medium-enterprises intervention programme.
In the area of water supply, the state government is making comprehensive plan for the improvement of water supply to the people, towards this end, a number of water projects and rehabilitation of existing facilities have been carried out by the administration from May 2007 to date aimed at improving the source of water supply to the people.

These projects include installation of 350,160 and 110 KVA generators at Daura, in addition to the 500 KVA generator supplied and installed at Jibia water supply scheme. Others include procurement of submersible pumps at Daura and Ajiwa water works, completion and rehabilitation of 27-semi urban water supply schemes across the state and the construction of new one at Kusada. All these in addition to a number of water supply projects executed by rural water supply and sanitation agency (RUWASSA) scattered across rural communities.
The state executive council at its forth regular meeting approved the construction of six. Semi-urban water schemes in the state capital as a result of water shortage affecting the residents of the state capital.
In its renewed efforts in taking development to every part of the state, the Katsina state government approved the award of contracts for the construction of new roads in the state at a cost of over 9.8 billion Naira. These include Batsari-Jibia road, Kankia township road, Ingawa township road, Katsina township road phase VI and the construction of new GRA dual carriage roads at the Daura and Kankara roads in Katsina. This in addition to the on going dualization of roads in Dutsin-ma, Funtua, Daura and Malumfashi towns all in the bid to enhance socio-economic development of the people. The government recently announced plans to expands the three narrow bridges along Katsina-Daura road. This will reduce the loss of lives and properties through accidents on the bridges.

Other projects completed and currently being executed by the Governor Ibrahim Shema administration in Katsina state within two years include:-
The development of the Katsina Neem seeds processing plant where expansion work is being carried out at the plant to facilitate the production of organic fertilizer for farmers in the state. This involves the supply and installation of new equipments and machines which would produce 10,000 tonnes of organic fertilizer annually.
The award of contract for the establishment of four fertilizer and kaolin processing plants in the state at the cost of over 89 million naira.
The expansion and upgrading of Katsina Motel to a three star hotel which involves the provision of 47 chalets, 30 rooms, three suites and a swimming pool.
The construction of 500 urban housing scheme along Mani road in Katsina which will be allocated to civil servants on owner occupier scheme and the construction of 50 prototype houses in each local government area of the state for their staff.

The Nigerian security and Civil Defence (NSCD) training college site, currently being renovated and improved upon by the state government at the former ministry of health building, Babbar Ruga, the construction of a befitting office complex for JAMB office in Katsina, the first of its kind in the country and allocation of a permanent office complex for the Nigerian Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC) at Dandagoro. Others include the construction of Government House annex near Karkara road, GRA Katsina and the plan for establishment of three private driving schools one each at Katsina, Funtua and Daura senatorial zones as approved recently by the state executive council.
The administration of Governor Ibrahim Shehu Shema has also taken a bold step in sports development in the state by establishing a premiership football club, named Katsina Spotlights FC and awarding contract for the completion of the ultra-modern stadium complex along Mani road in Katsina which was abandoned by previous administrations in the state.
No doubt governor needs to be commended for supporting the state Pilgrims welfare Board as Well as the pilgrims during the conduct of the 2007 and 2008 Hajj exercises by giving 300 Saudi Riyals each to the Katsina state pilgrims and providing planes which made early airlift of Katsina pilgrims possible. The state government should be commended for executing projects that have direct bearing on the lives of the people despite the economic meltdown and for releasing funds to local government councils in the state to execute capital projects. Also worthy of commendation is the prompt payment of salary of workers in the state and interest-free loans given to civil servants to cushion the effects of economic hardship.
By and large with all these developments, the present administration of Governor Ibrahim Shema is committed to ensuring development and improving the living standards of the people as such he deserves commendation for these laudable achievements and people oriented projects within the two years of his administration.

MAIWADA conributed this piece from Hassan Usman Katsina Polytechnic, Katsina state and Curled from Triumphnewspapers