The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Kano

  • TSA: Kano eyes N10b monthly

    Kano State Finance Commissioner, Prof Kabiru Isah Dandago has said the state government is going to generate N10 billion revenue monthly, through the blockage of leakages and use of  treasury single account.

    The Commissioner who spoke with reporters shortly after the dinner organised by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) (Kano-Jigawa state branch), said the government is currently in the process of reform, so as to  enhance its revenue base for self-reliance.

    He said: “The present Kano State government was first to introduce single treasury account in July, 2015, before the Federal Government.

    “Single treasury account introduced by Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje-led state government is a deliberate policy to block revenue leakages and jack up revenue generation from N1. 5 billion in the recent past to  about N5 or N10 billion.”

    Also, the Commissioner said all the revenue sources of the government is now remitted into one account, pointing out that no one is in doubt about how or where to deposit government money.

    Dandago said sources of revenue to Lagos State government are similar to that of Kano’s, adding that Lagos  however generates N20.5 billion monthly, while Kano  state government generates only N1.5 billion.

    “Why we are not generating as high as Lagos State is simply because the money goes to different baskets, ending with peanuts,” he said.

    However, Prof Isah admitted that under the present government, they will close up the revenue generation  gap like Lagos government and jack up their revenue base to the region of  N10 billion.

  • DPR seals 45 Filling Stations in Kano

    The Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) has sealed 45 filling stations in Kano for profiteering, diversion, hoarding and selling Petroleum Motor Spirit (PMS) above government approved price of N87 per Littre.

    Speaking to reporters in his office Thursday, the Zonal Operation Comptroller in charge of Kano and Jigawa, Alhaji Isah Tafida, said that 23 of the sealed stations sold PMS above approved pump price, while four were closed down for hoarding and five were shut down for diversion.

    He said that a surveillance team carried out its operation covering Kano municipal and its environs where 12 filling stations were sealed for using faulty pumps.

    According to him, the 36 filling stations sealed up will pay the sum of N100, 000 each with a written agreement that such offence will not be committed again.

    He further added that any filling station found guilty the second time will be closed down for three months, adding that penalty for diversion of PMS attract a fine of N200 per litre.

    Alhaji Tafida noted that the exercise is ongoing in line with the decision of President Muhammadu Buhari to sanitize the petroleum industry.

    He named the filling stations sealed up by DPR in Kano to include Gwagwarwa Investment Co. Ltd, Pure Oil and Gas LTD, Himma Merchants LTD, Musbahu Garba Nig. LTD, AY Suleiman LTD, Con Oil, Insibal, AS Marmaro, BBSY General Merchants, Nazzalco Enterprises LTD, A.U.I Multi Purpose, AB Radda Petroleum LTD.

     

    Others are ABY Petroleum Nigeria LTD, Alhaji Shehu Yaro Haske Nigeria LTD, Naadade Petroleum LTD, A.A. Babura and Sons Nigeria LTD, Afdin Petroleum Nigeria LTD, Idris Macauley, Nipco Oil LTD, Kano Industries Stone LTD, Ali Musa Nigeria LTD, Mansur Yusuf Nigeria LTD, Sanduff Oil and Gas, Kachako Petroleum LTD among others.

    Tafida, however, urged the public to furnish DPR with relevant information on the activities of filling stations across the states that are not complying with government directive.

  • Rail key to mass transit, says Kano governor

    Rail key to mass transit, says Kano governor

    WHAT is the best mass transit option? It is the rail, says Kano State Governor Abdullahi Ganduje.

    This, he said, remains the only means of addressing the country’s transport challenge in the face of its growing population.

    He spoke at the flag-off of the 1,139 rail kilometre mixed train service in Kano last Thursday.

    Represented by Kano State House of Assembly Speaker Kabiru Alhassan Rurum, the goverrnor said Nigerians were looking forward to when they would ride in modern coaches like people in developed countries.

    For over a decade, trade relations between Kano and the South suffered because of the  stoppage of the Kano-Port-Harcourt rail service.

    Traders in textile, shoes, gold, jewellery, hide and skin, cotton, groundnut oil and other agricultural produce felt relieved with the reactivation of the service by the Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC).

    Speaking on the occasion, NRC Managing Director Mr. Adeseyi Sijuwade said the service would further consolidate the age-old movement of goods and services across the country.

    According to him, the significance of the new service is the offering of a better, seamless linkage between the two viable routes – the western and eastern lines.

    Sijuwade said the Kano railway station was opened in 1914 to cement the success of the amalgamation of the northern and southern protectorates.

    “Kano is renowned for being the home state of the groundnut pyramid, hides and skin, cotton, ceramics and other agricultural products. It is the commercial and economic capital of the North, with full-scale intermodal transportation network that is complemented with an international airport, inland container depots and petroleum product facility base.”

    He said the business opportunities associated with Kano were fundamental to the NRC’s reconnection of the town to other parts of the country, to facilitate the mass movement of people and products.

    “What we are flagging off here is a mixed train service that consists of a 68-seater air-conditioned passenger and several other comfortable standard class coaches, with stops at Madubi, Danbura, Kuya, Zaria, Kaduna junction, Zunkwa, Kafanchan,  Gwaza, Lafia, Ajia-Yaragu, Markurdi, Otukpo, Ehamupu, Enugu, Ovim-Amava, Umuahia and Aba stations,” Sijuwade said.

    He noted that, earlier in the year, the NRC flagged off a number of services, including the Zaria-Kaura Namoda intercity mixed train service and the Port-Harcourt-Kafanchan, adding that the latter is being extended to Kaduna, Zaria and Kano. Recently, the NRC also began  intercity train service from Gombe to Kano.

    He said he is excited that the age-old movement of goods from Kofa Wambai, Kafin Kori, and Komi markets in Kano to Opute Market in Enugu, Ariara Market in Aba and Diobu Market in Port-Harcourt will be resuscitated and retuned.

    He disclosed that the train will run one trip weekly. It scheduled to depart Kano Thursdays at 16.00 hours (4pm) to arrive PH at 05.00 hours Saturdays. The return trip will depart Port-Harcourt station at 07.00 hours Sunday and arrive Kano at 20.00 hours (8pm) on Wednesday.

    He praised President Muhammadu Buhari for his continued commitment to effecting positive change in the country, even as he acknowledged the “fatherly guidance and counsel” of the Emir of Kano Muhammadu Lamido Sanusi II, and the passion of all workers of the corporation for driving the change initiative that has seen the transformation in the railway sector.

    He assured train commuters of the commitment of the corporation to providing a reliable, safe and affordable train service across the  country.

    The Emir of Kano His Royal highness Muhammadu Lamido Sanusi II said the rail service would further cement the age-long relationship of the ancient commercial city of Kano with other parts of the nation, particularly the Southeast and Southsouth.

    He thanked the NRC for linking Kano to Port-Harcourt.

  • Man electrocuted by high tension wire in Kano

    A resident of Kano Musa Lalaji, 39, of Gadun Albasa quarters, has been electrocuted by high tension wire at Kano Zoological Garden Shopping Complex.

    Alhaji Balarabe Kabara the state Director of Fire Service, made the disclosure on Tuesday in Kano in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

    He said the incident happened on Monday when the deceased climbed the roof of one of the shops at the complex to carry out some functions and accidentally touched the wire.

    He said that the remains of the victim had been deposited at the mortuary of Murtala Muhammed Specialist Hospital, Kano.

    Kabara advised the management of Kano Electricity Distribution Company to either relocate the high tension wire or increase its height to prevent such accidental contact.

  • Kano against censorship of media, says commissioner

    Kano against censorship of media, says commissioner

    The Kano State Government has said it is against censoring any media organization operating in the state in the discharge of their statutory responsibilities.

    The Commissioner for Information, Youths Sport and Culture, Malam Mohammed Garba, who spoke to reporters yesterday, also urged journalists to abide by the ethics of the profession.

    According to him, the Ganduje administration is not interested in censoring any media outfit in the state but advised them to go by the ethics of the profession in order to distinguish themselves from practicing junk journalism.

    Garba also sought for the cooperation and support to the Ganduje-led administration in order to enhance a cordial relationship between journalists and the state government.

    The Commissioner, said: “We don’t believe in censorship of media houses but they should at all times avoid sensational journalism and be wary of hate speech in order not to undermine the security of the state and the country at large.

    He maintained that the enforcement of the ethics of the profession is crucial to the national development and sustenance of democracy, judging from the virile violations of the ethics, prior and during the just concluded 2015 elections.

    He, however, advised journalists operating in the state to be sensitive of the environment, where they are reporting, so that they can come together and discuss something of mutual benefits for the people of the state.

    He therefore urged journalists to be fair in their reportage of events and ensure to balance their reports to capture both sides.

     

  • Hajj 2015: Kano to commence screening of pilgrims

    The Kano State Pilgrims Welfare Board is to commence the screening of its pilgrims for the 2015 Hajj on Monday, July 6.

    The Public Relations Officer of the board, Alhaji Nuhu Badamasi told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Kano on Saturday, that the screening would be conducted at the headquarters of the 44 local government areas of the state.

    According to him, the exercise is aimed at ensuring that the pilgrims are screened physically to ascertain their health status.

    ‘’If during the screening exercise a pilgrim is found to have one health challenge or the other, the officials will advise him or her to go and see a doctor for medical advice,” Badamasi said.

    He said the exercise would be used to stress the importance of having a male guide for any female pilgrims performing the Hajj.

    ‘’The screening is very important because old persons wishing to perform the Hajj must also be accompanied by somebody especially their relations.

    ‘’So during the screening, all these issues will have to be resolved in order to ensure that intending pilgrims do not encounter any problem in the Holy land,” Badamasi said.

    NAN reports that a total of 5,537 pilgrims from Kano state are expected to perform the 2015 Hajj in Saudi Arabia

  • Kano set to review agric policy to boost earnings

    Kano State Commissioner for Information, Internal Affairs Youth Culture and Sports, Malam Mohammed Garba, has restated the commitment of the state government to review agric policy with a view to getting money to fund developmental projects in the state.

    Speaking to reporters in Kano, Garba said Kano was at liberty to exploit its abundant agricultural potentials, so as to ensure food security, adding that the administration is determined to exploit all viable avenues for economic survival.

    According to him, the revenue base of the government can be enhanced through the exploitation of the vast solid mineral resources, stressing that Kano has a comparative advantage in that direction.

    He however, disclosed that the state government is poised to use the 27 major dams, strategically located in some parts of the state for the purpose of irrigation farming, including production of hydro- electric power, affirming that the  government is left with no option than to exploit all the available resources at the disposal of Kano State.

    Furthermore, he revealed that for the enhancement and consolidation of the revenue base of the state, the commissioner revealed that a special committee has been established under the  chairmanship of Professor Isah Dandago, the state Commissioner of Finance  to work out a blueprint on how to generate additional revenue for Kano.

    Also, Garba, who briefed reporters on the outcome of the first meeting of the Kano State Executive Council meeting, said that the state government has approved the sum of N2 billion for the procurement of 50,000 metric tonnes of fertiliser and would be distributed to farmers for the 2015 rainy season through gross enhancement support scheme (GES).

  • Customs chief urges Kano business community to embrace CET

    Customs chief urges Kano business community to embrace CET

    The Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS),  Abdullahi Inde yesterday urged the business community in Kano to embrace the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Common External Tariff (CET) in order to boost economic growth in the state.

    The Customs Comptroller General, who was represented by the Customs Comptroller of Kano/Jigawa Command,  Mathias Abutu at the launch of the CET and sensitisation workshop for stakeholders in Kano, said the call was necessary in order to reduce the region’s dependence on customs revenue generation drive, as well as enhancing economic development among the member countries.

    In his words, ‘’this joint approach of setting tariffs leads to a more predictable and stable trade policy with less room for interference through special interest.

    ‘’A more predictable and stable trade policy will ultimately benefit the average ECOWAS citizen through better economic governance.”

    The Customs boss, who described the new policy as a working tool for NSC and stakeholders, said its importance to the business community in the North, particularly, could not be over-emphasized.

    In his remark, the Director, German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ), Mr. Christian Wilmad urged stakeholders to be conversant with the new policy, adding that GIZ are supporting Nigeria in its effort to ensure full implementation of CET.

    Also speaking, the President of Kano Chamber of Commerce, Alhaji Umar Farouk Dansuleka expressed hope that the new policy will bring about synergy among member countries.

    He also urged the NCS to ensure that the policy was implemented to the core to ensure its success, pointing out that ‘’we will call on our members to abide by the rules and regulations guiding the new policy.”

    “I believe that the current position of Kano State and the country will improve since the approval of the kick-off of the programme started on April 1,” but noted that, “I am not sure whether the programme has started here because the borders have been closing for business. So, I urge that even though it has not started from today, we will urge our members to start the follow up and see that they abide by the rules concerning the ECOWAS Common External Tariff (CET).” Dansuleka said.

  • Torrential rainfall claims two Lives in Kano

    Heavy rainfall in Tudun Wada Local Government Area of Kano State have claimed two lives and destroyed cash crops worth millions of Naira.

    The Chairman of the Local Government Council, Ibrahim Nayola, who confirmed the incident to newsmen in Kano, said the rain which lasted for many hours caused flooding and destroyed many buildings.

    Mr. Nayola said he had already visited the affected areas to assess the magnitude of the damage caused by the downpour.

    He sympathized with the victims and expressed sadness over the incident describing it as an Act of God.

    He also urged the victims to be patient as efforts were being made to provide them with relief materials to alleviate their suffering.

    He said the council had already informed the state government through the Ministry for Local Government for possible assistance to the victims.

     

  • Kano governor cuts salaries, allowances of political appointees by 50%

    Kano governor cuts salaries, allowances of political appointees by 50%

    Governor Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano yesterday slashed his salary and that of his deputy and other political appointees by 50 percent.

    The move, he said, was to “enable us get enough for the development of the state. We also want to rescue the state from the harsh realities facing the entire country.”

    The governor at the swearing-in of the 13 commissioners at Sani Abacha Indoor Stadium, Kofar Mata, Kano, yesterday, pledged that his administration would make “sure that this government is transparent and accountable.”

    He vouched for the competencies of the new appointees, saying they were brought on board because of their track record and credibility.

    “We shall make sure that the change we fought for through our votes during the last election is applied in all sectors of our governance,” he said.

    He solicited the cooperation of the people of the state and promised to continue paying the salaries of workers in the state.

    Ganguje thanked the House of Assembly for the quick clearance of the commissioners within one day and urged the 44 local Government chairmen to support the newly appointed commissioners.

    Among the newly sworn-in commissioners are the outgoing President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Comrade Mohammed Garba, who was allocated the Information,  Youths, Sports and Culture portfolio and the immediate  chairman of the Association of Local Government s of Nigeria (ALGON), Murtala Sule Garo, who is now the  Commissioner of Local Government.

    Deputy Governor Hafiz Abubakar, a professor, will oversee the ministry of education, science and technology, while Alhaji Rabi’u Bako is Commissioner for  Commerce and Industry.

    The rest are: Dr Ali Bukar Makoda (Environment), Haruna Shehu Lambu (Works and Housing), Nasir Yusuf Gawuna (Agriculture), Kabiru Dandago (Finance), Usman  Sule Riruwai (Water Resources), Haruna Falali (Justice), A’sha Bello (Women Affairs),and  lbrahim Kabiru Getso (Health).

    Governor Nasir el-Rufai of Kaduna State was the first to cut his salary and that of other political appointees in the state by 50 per cent.