In response to the court’s order reinstating him, the Kano State Government has set aside N99.9 million for the renovation of the Nassarawa mini palace, the residence of the 15th Emir of Kano, Aminu Ado Bayero.
Halilu Dantiye, the State Commissioner of Information, announced this at a press briefing on the outcome of the State Executive Council meeting, presided over by Governor Abba Yusuf.
Dantiye clarified that the funds would go towards repairing the damaged wall and maintaining the palace’s surrounding areas.
According to Persecondnews, Yusuf had previously directed the Commissioner of Police to remove Ado-Bayero from the palace, citing trespassing on government property and plans to demolish and renovate the building.
The allocation of N99.9 million was part of a larger budget of N8.6 billion designated for various projects across the state, encompassing healthcare, education, water supply, agriculture, and other sectors.
He said: “Revocation and Re-award of contract for the construction of the Post Midwifery Institute at Gezawa Local Government Area at the sum of N770,858,450.3; Reconstruction and Renovation of Defective Wall/Fence and Surroundings at Nassarawa Emir’s Palace at the sum of N99,928,541.63; and Rehabilitation of water supply infrastructure at the government house at the sum of N126,987,787.
“Release of funds for the procurement of essential drugs and welcome packs for newborns, free maternal, neonatal, and child health, and free accidental and emergency commodities for January to March, 2024, at the sum of N165,000,000, Repair of an 18km old water pipeline at Dambatta LGA and its environs for the sum of N129,636,102 and construction of 138 . new hand pump boreholes under the second phase of the PEWASH programme State Matching Project at some local government areas for the sum of N193,000,000.
“Revocation and Re-award of contract for the completion of the construction of the College of Nursing and Midwifery at Madobi local government area at the sum of N57,066,422.52. Payment for the excess workload allowances to the two state owned universities, ADUDT and YUMDUK, at the sum of N447,621,640.79, Construction of the Magistrate Courts complex at the premises of Gidan Murtala for the sum of N259,143,824.08 and the procurement of fertilizer by the 44 local government councillors to enhance food security and agricultural productivity during the 2024 raining season at the cost of N5,073,840,000.
“These projects aim to enhance the state’s infrastructure, healthcare, education, and security,” the approvals by the State Executive Council read.”
A Kano-based organization, War Against Injustice (WAI), has condemned the allocation as a gross misallocation of resources and wholly unacceptable.
Comrade Umar Ibrahim, Executive Director of WAI, urged the government to prioritize the needs of the common people over the interests of the elite and demanded a redirection of funds towards projects that benefit the majority.
Ibrahim said: “We are appalled by the Kano State Executive Council’s decision to approve the reconstruction and renovation of the Nassarawa Emir’s Palace at a staggering cost of 99,928,541.63.
“This gross misallocation of resources is unacceptable when primary schools and healthcare facilities in Kano State are in a state of disrepair.
“The government’s priority should be the welfare of the common people, not the interests of the elite. We demand that the government reconsider this decision and redirect these funds towards projects that benefit the majority of the population.”
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