Sani Dutsinma
The Kebbi State Government has approved the release of over ₦4 billion to accelerate developmental projects across key sectors of the state’s economy.
The Commissioner for Information and Culture, Alhaji Yakubu Ahmed BK, disclosed this during a press conference held at the new State Secretariat in Birnin Kebbi, the state capital.
He explained that the funding approvals form part of strategic interventions by the administration of Governor Nasir Idris aimed at addressing infrastructure deficits and improving the living conditions of citizens.
According to the Commissioner, the health sector received significant allocations, including ₦926.3 million for the urgent rehabilitation and upgrading of the Martha Bamaiyi General Hospital in Zuru, which had been in a deplorable state.
In addition, ₦1.7 billion was approved for the rehabilitation of 21 Primary Health Centres across the state.
Yakubu Ahmed noted that these interventions are designed to strengthen healthcare delivery and ensure more efficient and responsive services, adding that work has already commenced at various project sites.
In the agriculture and rural development sector, the government has intensified efforts toward the implementation of the Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project (RAAMP).
He revealed that ₦2 billion has been released as counterpart funding for the second phase of the project, known as the RAAMP Scale-Up, alongside ₦1 billion as seed funding for the take-off of the Kebbi State Rural Access Roads Agency (RARA).
The Commissioner added that the funding ensures the state meets its obligations to international partners, who have committed about one billion US dollars to the project.
Similarly, in the water resources and irrigation sector, Kebbi State has qualified among 28 states for the World Bank-supported Sustainable Power and Irrigation for Nigeria (SPIN) project.
To secure participation, the state approved and released ₦500 million as counterpart funding for the initiative, which is expected to boost food security, improve dam safety, and create employment opportunities.
In the Lands and Housing sector, the government has also approved ₦975 million for the electrification of the Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu Housing Estate in Birnin Kebbi.
The Commissioner stated that the project is aimed at enhancing security and stimulating economic activities within the estate, noting that work is already ongoing.
He reaffirmed the commitment of the state government to sustained development and improved service delivery across all sectors.