Kano Ratifies N3.9bn Contracts for Road Network in Three New Emirates

By Ibrahim Shuaibu

Kano State Government has approved the ratification of contracts for the construction of township roads network in the three Emirate Councils of Rano, Gaya and Karaye at the total cost of N3, 942, 564, 267.77 billion.

The state Commissioner for Information, Malam Muhammad Garba, who addressed journalists after the outcome of the council meeting held at the Government House in Kano, said the projects are aimed at bringing meaningful development, boosting the general economic status of the state and further endearing government to the people.

He said the council also granted approval for the augmentation of the sum of N42, 350, 998.31million as additional cost of the contract for the construction of Dala Inland Dry Port internal and access roads network at Zawachili in Kumbotso Local Government Area of the state.

Garba explained that the increase in the contract followed unearthing of additional works which were not captured in the initial Bill of Engineering Measurement and Evaluation (BEME).

He said the additional works discovered after the contractor handling the project had achieved 37 per cent progress, upon advance payment of N250, 000, 000.00 million include removal of unsuitable materials, provision of fill material, construction of culverts, provision of vehicular slabs among others.

The commissioner stated that the new contract sum now stands at N1, 600, 917, 357.68 as against the initial sum of N1, 558, 556, 359.37 billion awarded in July 2020.

The commissioner also announced that the council has approved the release of N1, 000, 000, 000.00 billion for the implementation of some special intervention projects in some local government areas in the state.

He said areas to be covered by the intervention included education, healthcare services, road infrastructure, environment electrification and water supply at various locations of the 17 local government areas across the five emirates in the state.

Garba added that approval has also been granted for the supply/installation of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) equipment, deployment of Hospital Management Information System (HMIS) at the Kano Cancer Treatment Centre and Muhammadu Buhari Specialist Hospital, Giginyu, at the reviewed cost of N307, 257, 323.02 million.

He explained that the supply and installation of the facilities at the centre, which is the first of its kind in sub-Saharan Africa, is bound to enhance compliance with global standards in the management of electronic medical record.

Garba further revealed that approval of N48, 010, 036.15 million has been given for the construction of drainage and culverts within the Kano Emir’s palace to prevent flood occurrences at the palace.

The commissioner also stated that the release of the sum of N26, 107, 038.04 million has been ratified by the council for the contract on flood intervention measures at Gaida Kuka Uku on the Madobi-Panshekara Road.