INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT AND REHABILITATION One of the cardinal objectives of every government is the provision of decent housing for the largest number of citizenry as well as making the roads motorable for the safe movement of the citizens and their goods. Provision of electricity is also crucial for economic and social development. Hence the administration of Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau has executed several projects in this sector from June to December 2003. HOUSING The Kano State Housing Corporation has refocused its attention to long term strategic planning aimed at providing housing for as many citizens as possible. During the period under review, the Kano State Housing Corporation constructed houses worth N38,738,700.00 for flood disaster victims. In the last seven months again, the Corporation has been busy on the drawing board and finally came up with a five-year action plan, which if adhered to the latter will go down in history as the most comprehensive and well articulated that will result in the construction of over three thousand houses. It will also see Kano State having a housing scheme in Abuja of thirty-five blocks of houses. The Dala Building Society, the premier mortgage company of the state, has also been re-capitalized for the first time in several years. At the dawn of the Shekarau administration, the Government set up a committee to look into the issue of National Housing Fund deductions (NHF) and Recapitalisation of Dala Building Society Limited whose operational license was being threatened by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). Dala Building Society Limited is almost through with the computerization of its operations. Before the year runs out, the company envisages having a number of cash offices. Already, a new cash office at SHY Shopping Complex along BUK Road has been secured, now waiting for Central Bank of Nigeria’s approval to commence operation. Additional vehicles were supplied with a view to easing Dala Building Society Limited operations. During the year under review, Dala Building Society Limited loans and advances stood at N12,019,102.00 while a mortgage loan disbursed under commercial mortgage stood at N15,070,825.00. ROADS CONSTRUCTION AND REHABILITATION Roads construction and rehabilitation in Kano is supervised by three organizations, Ministry of Works, KASSEPA and various local government councils under the joint project schemes as well as independently. More roads have been constructed and rehabilitated under the supervision of KASSEPA. The organization awarded over five million naira (N500,000,0000) worth of contracts for the rehabilitation, reconstruction and construction of roads and drainages in various locations of the metropolis. About one third of this amount, one hundred and fifty nine million naira (N159,241,318.48) was allocated for the reconstruction and rehabilitation of Festing/Burma and Hausa/Ibo Roads. Many people know the state of these roads and the extent of their dilapidation and the quality of work being carried out under the supervision of this organization. Lamido Crescent one of the most dilapidated roads has also received the attention of the state government, which allocated the highest amount of one hundred and eleven million (N111,940,946) towards its rehabilitation. The central business district has also not been left out as Beirut and Bello Roads have since been rehabilitated at the cost of sixty six million seventy eight thousand seven hundred and sixty one naira forty six kobo (N66,078,761.61). Inside the city, the contract for the rehabilitation of Yola Road around the area of Madakin Kano’s residence was awarded at the cost of fifty seven million nine hundred and seventy thousand four hundred and fifty nine naira sixty sis kobo (N57,970,459.66). So also the contract for the rehabilitation of the road from Kofar Mazugal to Koki to Bakin Zuwo was awarded at the cost of fifty six million ninety one thousand, forty naira thirty-four kobo (N56,091,044:34) as well as the construction of drainage at Zango Quarters at the cost of over five million naira. The contract for the rehabilitation of Dakata Kawaji road was awarded at the cost of over eighteen million naira. ROADS CONSTRUCTED OR REHABILITATED UNDER THE SUPERVISION OF KASEPPA S/N PROJECT TITLE LENGTH COST(N) LEVEL OF COMPLETION MODE OF EXECUTION 1. Reconstruction of Festing/Burma Road   1,400   74,000,000.00   55%   Contract 2. Rehabilitation of Hausa/Ibo Road   1,782   85,241,318.48   80%   - 3. Rehabilitation of Yola Road 1000 57,970,459.66 70%   - 4. Rehabilitation of Bello Road 925 48,228,664.06 100%   - 5. Rehabilitation of Beirut Road 412 17,850,097.40 100%   - 6. Rehabilitation of Link Road from Post office Road to Bello Road   95   6,078,097.00   100%   - 7. Rehabilitation of Lamido Crescent Roads and Drainage   2,700   111,904,946.40   30%   - 8. Rehabilitation of K/Mazugal-Koki- Bakin Zuwo    1,200   56,091,044.34   20%   - 9. Provision of Base Improvement at NNPC Hotoro Deport Parking Space       8,924,737.50   100%   Direct Labour 10. Rehabilitation Bello Kano   2,381,400.00 100%   - 11. Rehabilitation of Dakata Kawaji  Road     18,955,260.00   65%   - 12. Road Rehabilitation at Aminu Teaching Hospital     2,535,400.00   40%   - 13. Rehabilitation of PILGRIMS camp Road     704,294.00   100%   - 14. Rehabilitation of Road Network within Audu Bako Secretariat     12,000,000.00   20%   - 15. Construction of Drainage at Zango Quarters   386   5,537,267.66   20%   - RURAL ELECTRIFICATION The commitment of the Shekarau’s administration in rural electrification can be seen in the government’s prompt payment of the retention monies to a number of contractors who executed various electrifications projects to the tune of N20 million. Building on this foundation the state government provided another N87,472,166:00 for immediate rural electrification projects in 13 local government areas, as a start. These projects were executed on both contractual and direct labour basis. See table 8 & 9 for details. Names of locations, amount and contractors that handled the Rural Electrification in the first phase S/N NAME OF PROJECT CONTRACTOR LGA AMOUNT 1 Dawanau AS HAN D/TOFA 6,000,000.00 2 Adakawa Pri. School AS HAN DALA   4,500,000.00 3 Sheka Market AL AD KUMBO-TSO   4,600,000.00 4 Kaura Goje AL AD NASSAR-AWA   4,500,000.00 5 Sharada (Fegi) CLAY GATE MUNICI-PAL   4,500,000.00 6 Zango Qtrs. DIGIBITS MUNICI-PAL   5,772,166.00 7 Dandalin Fagge CLAY GATE FAGGE 4,500,000.00 4,500,000.00 8 Gani DIGIBITS SUMAILA   12,200,000.00 9 Rumo DIGIBITS SUMAILA   16,400,000.00 10. Maradun (Hotoro) MUHARRAM NASSARAWA   4,500,000.00 TOTAL 67,472,166.00 Amounts release by Shekarau administration to cover electrification projects approved by former regime without financial backing. S/N VILLAGE/TOWN CONTRACTOR LGA AMOUNT 1 URAN ALPHA GEZAWA 16,328,894.00 2 GANJI ALPHA MAKODA   6,214,531.00 3 GAYAWA ALPHA UNGOGO 17,885,115.00 4 YANCHIBI DALBACO TSANYAWA 17,536,178.80 50% 5 KYANYAWA MASO KARAYE 19,688,625.00 50% 6 U/KAKA REB KIRU 7,885,418.00 7 KUWAIT MASO NASSARAWA   7,643,328.00   TOTAL 93,182,116.80 Names of locations where Rural Electrifications projects were executed through direct labour by REB. S/N NAME OF PROJECT LGA AMOUNT 1 Fari D/KUDU 6,800,000.00 2 Sararin Gezawa GEZAWA   3,500,000.00 3 Tashar Nakuttu KIRU   3,500,000.00 4 Galkere RANO   3,600,000.00 5 Lambu L.T. Ext & Xformer Installation TOFA   2,800,000.00 TOTAL 20,200,000.00 RENOVATION OF GOVERNMENT PROPERTIES, CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS, MAINTENANCE AND REHABILITATION OF ROADS, BRIDGES AND EQUIPMENTS The Shekarau administration carried out several renovation exercises of government properties such as the office and the residence of the Deputy Governor at the cost of thirty million naira (N30,000,000). To further consolidate the independence of the Legislature, the Government approved the payment of fifteen million Naira (N15,000,000.00) outstanding claim and re-awarded the completion of the House of Assembly Annex at N2.5 million. The job is about to be completed. Like the Deputy Governor, the official residence of the Speaker of the State House of Assembly has been renovated and furnished at the cost of N9,623,590.20. As explained elsewhere, the Shekarau administration is preoccupied with human development and societal overhaul. It is therefore, concerned with the welfare and comfort of its workforce. Apart from promotion of its workers as at when due, it also promotes their comfort. That explains why the Government committed the sum of ten million, fifty eight thousand, eight naira thirty five Kobo (N10,058,008.35) to renovate twenty nine (29) houses being occupied by a number of civil servants. For years, the houses owned by the State Government had suffered utter neglect. Until the advent of the Shekarau government, the houses had been in derelict condition. A skilled labour force is an asset. With the appropriate skills, a labour force could transform a society, which is the major goal of the Shekarau administration. For this reason, it awarded a contract for the renovation of Sharada Assistant Works Superintendent (AWS) Training School at the cost of N4,321,721.00. The job has been completed. This workshop also services vehicles in the fleet of Kano State Transport Authority (KASTA) otherwise known as Kano Line whose original workshop located at Kofar Nassarawa has been converted into a Secondary School by the previous administration. The government has already brought succor to the transport company by providing a lifeline of N9,878,300.00 for the refurbishment of twenty two (22) number of buses. With this development, routes that hitherto were not being plied will resume full operations. In May 2002, one of the worst aviation disasters in history befell residents of Gwammaja quarters when a whole passenger aircraft crashed into residential houses, destroying homes and maiming people in the process. Some people were even killed. The Government of Shekarau however, awarded the contract of the completion of two (2) residential houses and construction of drainage and mechanized borehole at the scene of the crash at the cost of N16,025,216.16. As part of its effort of complimenting community efforts, Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau’s administration renovated or completed mosques were projects initiated by the respective communities and abandoned half way due to cash crunch. The Government appreciates such community-based projects. The Government assessed the projects and awarded contracts for their completion at a cost of thirty eight million, four hundred and twenty four thousand, one hundred and thirty naira, twenty eight Kobo (N38,424,130.28) only. The projects are located in Fagge, Narki, Dukurun Dudu, Koren Tabo, Alkalawa Gaya, Tamburawar Gabas and Ungogo. Similarly Islamiyya Schools which are also part of community effort were given the necessary assistance and attention of the administration hence the Shekarau administration committed the sum of nineteen million, four hundred and ninety four thousand, one hundred and sixty Naira, ninety Kobo (N19,494,160.90) to the construction of three (3) Islamic schools at Tudun Wada town, Mobile Police and Lungi Barracks in Kano and Abuja respectively. The Government’s decision was informed by its belief in the efficacy of Islamic and Western education to transform a society. The commitment of Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau’s administration to improving rural health care delivery found expression with the award of a contract for the construction of primary health care clinics at Wak and Beli in Bebeji and Rogo Local Government Areas respectively, all at the cost of sixteen million, one hundred and six thousand, nine hundred and fifty two Naira, sixty two Kobo (N16,106,952.62). The Shekarau administration does what it says. It makes pledges and redeems them. For instance, it promised a 52 – bed hostel at the Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital (AKTH), a Federal Government institution and promptly awarded a N28,484,477.76 contract for its execution. The Shekarau administration has earned accolades for the frugal manner it has been handling state resources. This disposition is manifest in the vigorous manner the Government pursues a maintenance culture. For years streets and traffic lights have operated in fits and starts. In some instances, they had completely packed off. The Government therefore, directed the reactivation of these lights and committed the sum of N34,300,000.00. Work has already begun through direct labour. In the Ministry of Works, Housing & Transport, a number of power generating plants and equipment are currently being rehabilitated. The sum of N9,801,430.00 has been set aside for that purpose. During the rainy season, the people of Bebeji Local Government area especially those who dwell along Tiga-Rurum road face serious threat of flood due to the parlous state of the drainage. However, in its characteristic manner, the Shekarau administration awarded the contract for the repairs of the double cell culvert at the cost of N943,543.43. When the rain comes this year, the people can sleep with both eyes closed. Again the Shekarau administration’s maintenance culture manifested in the reactivation of twenty two (22) operational fire fighting vehicles for the State Fire Service Department. This costs the State Government the princely sum of N15,825,600.00. The development gave rise to the reopening of several out-stations of the fire service department shut down since 1992 in the wake of the absence of fire fighting vehicles. These stations are located at Bompai, Muhammad Abubakar Rimi Market, Sharada, Tudun Wada and Gwarzo. Repairs of Rano bridge has reached an advanced stage and it cost the Government the sum of N6,500,000.00. Similarly, the sum of N800,000.00 has been approved for consultancy services for structural stability check on Madobi-Yako bridge. The Government again came to the rescue of staff of Kano State Housing Corporation whose three months salaries totalling N6,000,000.00 was approved