From Tahir Mohammed, Dutse

Jigawa state Executive Council has approved the release of One Billion, Five Hundred and Forty Three Million, Nine Hundred and Twelve Thousand, One Hundred and Seventy Eight, Seventeen Kobo as state government interventions for timely payment of retirement benefits of the state pensioners.

This was part of the Councils resolutions as announced by the state Commissioner for Information, Home Affairs, Youths, Sports and Culture, Honorable Sagir Musa shortly after the Council meeting held at Govt House Dutse and Chaired by the state Governor Umar Namadi Danmodi.

According to Musa this was part of His Excellency, Umar Namadi administration commitment to the improvement of Civil Servant welfare and timely payment of retirement benefits of the State Pensioners.

The Council had also approved the sum of Four Hundred and Thirteen Million, Two Hundred and Three Thousand, One Hundred and Twenty-Five Naira (N413,203,125.00) for the procurement of 4no.Foreign Used Toyota Hilux and 50no. Brand New Boxer Bajaj Motorcycle to strengthen fight against crime and improved security patrol by the Security Agencies as part of measures to curve the rate of crimes and criminality both within and outside Dutse metropolitan's.

Other approvals include the procurement of 7no. official vehicles to the tune of Three Hundred and Four Million Naira (N304,000,000.00) only. The 7no. Vehicle includes 2no. New Brand Toyota Hilux, 4no. Toyota Corolla 2006 Model and 1no. Toyota Corolla 2016 Model for the smooth running of government operations by the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning for effective projects monitoring and Evaluation

Similarly, In line with the present administration 12-Points Agenda to provide adequate electricity supply to both Urban and Rural areas to boost economic activities across the State, the Council has approved the release of One Billion Naira (N1,000,000,000) for the payment of the State Government share in KEDCO as part of the MoU signed to acquire 500,000 units of KEDCO shares, from Future Energy Africa Limited, who are the core

investors of KEDCO.

The strategic partnership will enable Jigawa State Government to consolidate its earlier 7.5% shareholding to 10% in the company. Also the MoU is aimed at ensuring adequate provision of constant electricity supply to all tier 1 Urban Centers and Rural electrification in the State by the year 2028.

Hon. Musa further stated rhat the Council has approved some of the key recommendations made by the Committee of Investigation into Majia, Taura LGA Tragedy for implementation following the Council deliberations on some of the key recommendations ealier presented before the Council with view to curtail the rising incidents and prevent future occurrences of such tragic incident in the State.

The Council has resolve to set up a nine Member committee to further come out with an implementation plan for short, medium and long-term modalities to be chaired by Honorable Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning.

Furthermore, The State Executive Council has approved the award of Contract for the supply and Installation of Integrated Stand-Alone Solar Powered Street Lights Projects for Semi-Urban Towns across the State to the tune of Five Hundred and Ninety-Five Million, Nine Hundred and Forty-Three Thousand, One Hundred and Forty Nine Naira, Ninety-Four Kobo (N595,943,149.94K) only as presented by Ministry of Power and Energy.