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Tag: Bauchi State

  • Bauchi plants 10,200 trees in schools

    Bauchi plants 10,200 trees in schools

    Bauchi State Government said on Friday that it had embarked on the planting of 10, 200 tree seedlings in all its primary and junior secondary schools.

    The Executive Chairman, Bauchi State Universal Basic Education Board ( SUBEB ), Prof. Yahaya Yero said this in Bauchi, while launching the Tree planting Campaign at Fadamar Mada, Model School.

    Yero said that 10, 000 seedlings were donated to the board by the Sarkin Itatuwan Bauchi, Alhaji Abubakar Ladan, while 200 seedlings were donated by Alhaji Mohammed Gwaram, Director, School Services of the Board.

    He explained that the programme was aimed at restoring the past glory where schools had trees and shrubs planted within their premises that acted as aesthetics, shades, wind and rain breakers.

    Yero promised that registered contractors of the board would, henceforth, be directed to plant at least five trees as condition for award of contracts for construction and rehabilitation of school buildings.

    He also said that schools that excel in nurturing of the seedlings to maturity would be rewarded with prizes while those found wanting would be sanctioned.

    The chairman decried the present deplorable conditions of some of the schools in the state due to neglect by previous administrations.

    He said the non-payment of counterpart fund to Universal Basic Education Board (UBEB) had inhibited the development and maintenance of schools in the state.

    He, therefore, said that the present administration was working hard to change the previous trend, adding that most of the schools would be given facelift.

    “We have just advertised for bids from contractors in that respect and the exercise is ongoing,’’ he said.

    The District Head of Bauchi, Alhaji Nuru Jumba, had earlier, commended those who donated the trees.

    He said the innovation would help curb the menace of deforestation and desertification.

    “I urge the beneficiaries to nurture the seedlings to maturity unlike the previous programmes where such seedlings were not allowed to reach maturity.

    “I will hold head teachers, teachers and administrators of schools responsible for such negative acts this time around,’’ Jumba said.

  • ‘We are short of doctors, medical staff in Bauchi’

    ‘We are short of doctors, medical staff in Bauchi’

    Dr Abdul’Aziz Manga, the Executive Chairman, Bauchi State Hospitals Management Board, said that the state was experiencing shortage of doctors and other medical staff.

    Manga said this on Tuesday in Bauchi in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

    Read also: Shock as resident doctors begin strike over salaries

    He further disclosed that the board had only 67 doctors out of the over 6,000 workforce of the board, adding that the number was currently managing 27 General Hospitals and other health facilities.

    Manga described the figure as “inadequate” adding that the doctors were forced to attend to large number of patients per day.

    “The board has 867 nurses and 15 pharmacists manning our hospitals and other health facilities in the state which is not adequate.

    “Another place that we have lapses is in the area of midwives, where you will meet a hospital with only two or three midwives and you can imagine the rigours they are undergoing,” he said.

    Manga, however, stated that laboratory scientists, technicians and assistants, were very comfortable with their numbers so far, adding that hospitals had at least, laboratory scientists, technicians and assistants.

    Read also: Minister to doctors: Suspend your strike

    “We need a minimum of four midwives in each of the 27 hospitals and 30 pharmacists to adequately handle drugs in our hospitals.

    “On our part, we are making efforts to recruit more of these special cadres such as doctors, nurses, midwives and pharmacists.

    “We have made our submissions to the governor, to grant us right to recruit some and very soon the situation will improve.”

    The chairman urged the few staff on the board’s payroll to put in their best and to have attitudinal change to serve the people.

    He also advised the public to appreciate the services rendered by the staff and support them, where necessary to salvage the situation.

    “Government is not unmindful of the sacrifices being made by the few staff for the people of the state.”

  • Bauchi governor sacks cabinet, appoints new SSG

    Bauchi governor sacks cabinet, appoints new SSG

    Gov. Mohammed Abubakar of Bauchi on Thursday dissolved his  cabinet , sacked the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Alhaji Bello Ilelah  and disengaged his Special Assistants.

    A statement to that effect, signed by Permanent Secretary, Special Duties and Political Affairs, Malam Saidu Maikobi, directed the affected appointees to handover the affairs of their ministries to their Permanent Secretaries, latest July 21.

    Maikobi also announced the appointment of Alhaji Mohammed Nadada as the new SSG, while Brig-Gen Ladan Yusuf (Rtd) had been retained as Special Adviser on Security.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the new SSG, Nadada, a 1978 graduate of Law from the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria,  had worked with the State Ministry of Justice, Bauchi State Investment and Property Development Company Ltd and New Africa Merchant Bank Ltd, among others.

    He was also the SSG from 1999 to 2006 under the administration of Alhaji Ahmed Muazu.

    He had also contested as the PDP Gubernatorial candidate in 2007, but was defeated by the then ANPP candidate, Malam Isa Yuguda.

  • Eid-el-fitr: FRSC deploys 150 personnel in Bauchi metropolis

    Eid-el-fitr: FRSC deploys 150 personnel in Bauchi metropolis

    The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Bauchi state command, says it will deploy over 150 of its officer to ensure hitch-free Eid –el-fitr celebration in Bauchi metropolis.

    FRSC Sector Commander in the state, Mr Abdulrazak Najume, told News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Bauchi on Friday that in addition, all major roads leading to the state capital would be closed to traffic from 6am on Sallah day, to be opened after the prayer session.

    He said the measure was taken to avoid traffic jam in the morning hours when Muslim faithful would troop out to the prayer ground, noting that in the past heavy trucks entering the metropolis had created problem during the prayer session.

    “We will deploy 150 officers in Bauchi metropolis to ensure free flow of traffic; all federal roads will be closed from 6am on Eid day, till after the prayer session.

    “This is to avoid traffic jam that is usually caused by heavy trucks coming into or moving out of the metropolis.

    “The roads will be opened as soon as the prayer ends and the emir moves back to the palace,” he said.

    The commander called on celebrants, to be law-abiding and adhere to traffic rules, just as he reminded those travelling that ‘life has no spare parts,’ hence the need to wear seat belts and observe speed limit.

    Meanwhile, the Bauchi Police command had reminded the public of the ban on use of fire crackers during festivities.

    In a statement issued by the command through its spokesman, it said use of fire crackers was risky, as such would not be tolerated.

    “The use of Knock-outs, Fire crackers and other forms of fireworks in the town constitute serious security risk as it is capable of misleading security personnel, as well as instill  fear in the minds of peace loving citizens.

    “In view of this, parents and guardians are advised to warn their children not to use Knock-outs as the law governing the sales, purchase and use of Fireworks is still in force,” it said.

    The command said it was fully prepared to ensure that law-abiding citizens of the state enjoyed Eid-el-fitr peacefully.

  • Bauchi disburses N13m to rural health facilities

    Bauchi disburses N13m to rural health facilities

    The Bauchi State Government has released N13 million to Dass Local Government Area to improve health facilities under the National States Health Investment Project (NSHIP).

    The Executive Chairman, the State Primary Health Care Development Agency, Mr Adamu Gamawa, announced the disbursement in a statement on Wednesday in Bauchi.

    Gamawa said the funds were released after the National Supportive Supervision exercise was conducted for the benefitting facilities.

    “The Bauchi State Government has disbursed N12,962,500 to 15 Primary Healthcare Centres and one General Hospital in Dass LGA.

    “The funding was provided under the World Bank assisted Additional Financing of National State Health Investment Project (NSHIP).

    “NSHIP focuses on the delivery of quality primary health care so as to meet the health needs of the people.

    “Fifteen health centres and one general hospital in the LGA will benefit from the fund,’’ Gamawa stated.

    According to him, the funding released to each of the facilities range between N700,000 and N800,000.

    He assured that the programme was a pilot exercise and would be expanded to other local government areas in the state.

    He said the state government adopted the Performance Base Financing Approach to disburse the fund.

  • Bauchi buys 25 Toyota Hillux, spends N90m to buy horses

    Bauchi buys 25 Toyota Hillux, spends N90m to buy horses

    The Government of Bauchi State on Wednesday disclosed that it spent the sum of N90m to purchase horses.

    The horses, according to the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Nasrudeen Mohammed who spoke to disclosed this at a ministerial press briefing at the state secretariat, the horses are for the six emirate councils in the state.

    Also, the government has spent N275, 869, 840 for routine immunisation in the last two years.

    He also said that the government spent N55, 007, 300 for the printing and distribution of revenue receipts for the 20 local government councils and production of government approved the scheme of service for local government employees.

    He said the government, through the ministry, ‘purchased horses for six emirate councils to maintain the culture and traditions of the state at the cost of N90, 000, 000.

    “The government also purchased 25 Toyota Hilux vehicles and their accessories and distributed them to the security outfits in the state at the cost of N252,000, 000.

    “Routine immunisation to eradicate polio in Bauchi State cost the state N137,934,920 annually.”

  • Bauchi: Govt establishes creches to enhance productivity of female workers nursing babies

    Bauchi State government has concluded arrangements to establish two crèches in aid of female civil servants who are nursing babies.

    State Head of Service , Alhaji Liman Bello, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Bauchi on Tuesday that the crèches (day care centre for babies), estimated to cost the government N20 million, would be located at the state secretariat and the Ministry of Education premises.

    He said the crèches were being established on the request of the Women’s Wing of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Bauchi State chapter.

    According to him, the two crèches will serve as pilot projects, after which more will be established in other office premises across the state.

    He expressed optimism that the project would boost productivity of nursing mothers in their places of work as their babies would be in safe hands, thereby enabling them to concentrate on the work.

    “The two crèches will be a pilot programme; one will be located at the state secretariat and the other at the Ministry of Education premises.

    “If the programme proves to be successful, it will be extended to other office premises across the state, until each office gets one.

    “Civil servants nursing babies will not be charge for the services as this is a State government programme aimed at enhancing productivity of nursing mothers in their places of work,” he said.

    Bello said the state Ministry of Works had already designed the projects which were to be undertaken through direct labour, at the cost of N10 million each.

    “The Ministry of Work has designed the projects and estimated the cost; they are to be undertaken through direct labour and the document is in the due process office for certificate.

    “As soon as funds are made available, work on the projects will start,” he said.

    He said that the crèches would be under the supervision of the Establishment department of the the Office of the Head of Service, adding that about two or three nannies would be engaged for a start.

    Speaking on the issue, chairperson of NLC, Women Wing in the state, Mrs Rakiya Balan -Malam, said NLC was part of the discussion during the designing to ensue meeting of standard.

    She said that the establishment of the crèches would ensure the non-disruption of nursing mothers in the discharge of their duties, thereby paving way for quality service delivery.

    “Mothers are more composed when with their babies are close to them; this will give them the ability to concentrate and be more productive in their work places.

    “Furthermore, the issue of spending less time in office will be addressed and on the part of the babies, they will be breast-fed adequately as their mothers are close by.

    “Exclusive breast-feeding will be ensured without difficulties,” she said.

    Balan-Malam called on the state government to engage retired nurses who could manage babies in times of sickness, and could also identify symptoms of childhood diseases, especially the communicable ones.

  • Bauchi embarks on registration of e-waste scavengers

    Bauchi embarks on registration of e-waste scavengers

    Bauchi State Government said it had embarked on the registration of scavengers in Bauchi metropolis who would gather electronic waste (e-waste) materials for a fee, as part of measures to protect lives and the environment.

    State Commissioner for Environment, Dr Audu Ghani, told News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Bauchi that already, about 1,000 e-waste scavengers had been registered and licensed.

    He identified e-waste as comprising of unserviceable radios, refrigerators, air conditioners, batteries and anything that made use of the electricity to function.

    “Because of the fast growing technology, you will discover that most of the older electronic gadgets have become obsolete and therefore, have become e-wastes.

    “You find them not necessarily in the dustbins, but within our residential apartments, occupying a large space and we feel they are still relevant.

    “Some people keep such obsolete items just to remind them of the good old days, like artifacts in museum that bring nostalgic feelings of the past,” he said.

    According to him, the decision to engage e-waste scavengers is aimed at discouraging the handling of e-waste products by all and sundry because of the hazards involved.

    “We have over 10,000 registered scavengers within Bauchi metropolis who gather such wastes, bring them to the ministry, and are being paid depending on the size of the waste.

    “We have an existing plan that takes care of these things and have registered scavengers that have been given license to gather the e-waste.

    “We try as much as possible to ensure that when they are gathered, especially used batteries and others, we sort them out and dispose them in the most appropriate way that will not harm people or the environment.

    “We need specialised and trained personnel in the management of such waste so we do not encourage the public to dispose them because some contain poisonous substances that, if not properly disposed, can cause havoc to people and the environment,” he said.

    Ghani said that the state government was making efforts to establish a centre where it could gather some of the useful e-wastes for recycling for the benefit of the people.

    “We are making frantic efforts to make sure e-waste materials are being identified, gathered and measures taken to recycle those that are recyclable,” he added.

    He said a special department in his ministry had been created to handle the gathering of the wastes and sort out the ones that could be recycled to get rid of them from the environment.

    He cautioned member of public on the handling of such waste as some could be harmful to human lives.

    “These are special waste and not like any other ordinary waste that you can just dump anyhow and anywhere,”

    “We advise that such wastes be released to scavengers, who will take same to the ministry, where they will be disposed of  in the proper way,” he advised.

  • Corruption: Bauchi to introduce whistle-blowing

    Gov. Mohammed Abubakar of Bauchi State said the state government would introduce whistleblowing in the state to fight corruption in its local government councils.

    Abubkar made this known when he addressed workers at May Day celebration in Bauchi on Monday.

    He described corruption at the local government level as “endemic”, and said that something must be done to check it.

    Abubakar said that some top officials of councils in the state were still harbouring ghost workers in spite of several staff verifications conducted by his administration at the third-tier of government.

    “Any worker that reveals to me in secrecy how many ghost workers are being harboured by some top functionaries will be rewarded.

    “To rid the councils of corruption, we must stand up since the staff verification has failed to yield fruits while millions of naira is being siphoned through dubious act.

    “Workers who reveal such shady deals will be rewarded with money and immediate promotion,” he said.

    Abubakar said that his administration had set up a committee to review the 60-year-old state civil service rules and other regulations on labour.

    He said that his administration was committed to prompt payment of salaries and other entitlements to workers in the state.

    He assured that hardworking workers would be rewarded while indolent ones would be punished, saying that the government was committed to workers’ welfare.

    The governor urged the workers to rededicate themselves to the services of the state and promised to introduce innovations that would better the life of workers in the state.

    Earlier in his address, Chairman of Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) in the state, Mr. Hashimu Gital, had called on the Federal Government to hasten the approval of a new minimum wage.

    Gital said that the N18, 000 National Minimum Wage achieved through tripartite committee in 2011 was no longer tenable because of prevailing recession.

    He said that the purchasing power of Nigerian workers was greatly diminishing due to high inflation.

    Gital, therefore, urged the National Committee on New Minimum Wage to hasten its work and ensure that it was guided by current economic realities in its recommendation.

    He called on the state government to settle over N15 billion gratuity arrears owed public service, including local government, retirees in the state.

    The chairman also called on the state government to restore other charges to agencies and leave transport grant for the benefit of the workers.

    He commended the state government for settling the salary arrears of workers in the state.

  • Meningitis: 1,400 inmates vaccinated in Bauchi

    The Bauchi State Primary Health Care Development Agency has vaccinated 1,400 inmates and 240 prisons’ staff against  Cerebro Spinal Meningitis (CSM).

    Mr Adamu Gamawa, the Chairman of the agency, made this known in Bauchi on Thursday in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).
    According to him, the proactive measure is to prevent the occurrence of the disease among prison inmates in view of the congestion in the prisons.

    He said that the measure would be replicated in similar public facilities to prevent the spread of the disease.

    The chairman said that the agency had requested for more vaccines from the National Primary Health Care Agency to scale up preventive measures.