119TH KANO STATE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL MEETING Today Wednesday 9th October, 2013 (4th Dhul Hijjah, 1434 A H) the Kano State Executive Council held its one hundred and nineteenth (119th) sitting under the leadership of Governor Engr. Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso, FNSE during which eight (8) MDAs submitted thirty three (33) memoranda, that centred on public oriented/spirited projects, policies and programs for deliberation and approval. Twenty five (25) of the memoranda were approved for execution with an expenditure of One Hundred and Eleven Million, Ninety Three Thousand, Three Hundred and Thirteen Naira, Twenty Five Kobo (N111,093,313.25) covering eleven (11) projects. Thus; 1. OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY TO THE STATE GOVERNMENT Twenty-five (25) memoranda were submitted on behalf of some MDAs from the Office of the Secretary to the State Government for deliberation by Council. Seventeen (17) of them were approved for execution as follows: a) Presentation of Request for Funds to Enable the Collection, Handling and Distribution of 250 KG Aflasafe Incolumns to Cultivate 250 Hectares of Maize Crop Fields Free to Farmers across Kano State:- The Secretary to the State Government forwarded an information from the Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources, through the contents of this memorandum that the Commercial Agriculture Development Project in collaboration with IITA Nestle has embarked on “Grain Improvement” through sensitization and creation of awareness on Aflatoxin application and control. The collaboration started in 2010 and yielded positive results as 1,200 Local Farmers across the 44 LGCAs of the State were trained on post-harvest management, effects and control of Aflatoxin. The Aflatoxin free grain serve as products for food processing companies such as Cadbury and Nestle who availed opportunities for farmers that control Aflotoxin on their crops to have competitive advantage over untreated grains in terms of quality and price. The project has recently received consignment of 9,730 KG Incolumns from IITA to cover 973 hectares of cropped land for sale to farmers atN3,000.00 per hectare. Hence, the request for the release of the sum ofN2,919,000.00 to pay off the cost of 9,730 Kg Aflatoxin Incolumns and N100,000.00 as handling cost to facilitate free distribution to farmers in the State at the total cost of N3,019,000.00. Council appreciatively acknowledged the presentation and approved the following; i. The project be allowed/cleared to use the sum of N3,019,000.00 to pay – off the cost of the 9,730 kg Aflatoxin Incolumns and handling charges. ii. The project be allowed to organize a mini workshop for creating awareness on Aflatoxins in grains. iii. The Aflatoxin Incolumns be distributed to Local Farmers free of charge to encourage control of the toxins in local grains. b) Presentation of Report on Fact – Finding Visit of Niger State Officials to Kano State with a Mission to Obtain Detailed Information on how the Program on Sponsorship for Kano State Indigenous Students for Studies Abroad Operates:- The Secretary to the State Government presented a correspondence from the Office of the Secretary to the Niger State Government indicating that his State has constituted a Committee to understudy States that currently sponsor their Indigenous Students for studies abroad. The Committee visited Kano and detailed information was provided to them by the Office of the Secretary to the State Government on the following: i. Sponsored Undergraduate Courses Abroad • 25 Students – Marine Engineering in India and United Kingdom. • 100 Students – Pilots in Jordan. • 100 Students (both genders) – Medicine. • 100 Female Students – Medicine. • 100 Students (both genders) – Pharmacy studying in Egypt, Sudan, India, Saudi Arabia and Uganda. ii. Sponsored Post Graduate Courses Abroad • 501 Post Graduate Students with first class and 2ndclass upper degrees in eleven (11) Countries. • Additional 502 Post Graduate Students with first class and 2ndclass upper degrees to study postgraduate courses overseas. • 21 Msc. and PhD in Public Health at Texas USA. • 14 Science Teachers for Intensive Training on Technical Education in the United Kingdom. Council acknowledged, appreciated and endorsed the effort of the Office of the Secretary to the State Government and hoped the visit was fruitful to the visiting Niger State Committee. c) Request for Funds to Support the Bereaved Families of Three Senior Public Officials Who Died in Active Service:- Council sent its condolence to the families of three (3) Senior Public Officials who died while on active service. They include: i. Squadron Leader Kabiru Haruna Bala • Deputy Director, Corporate Security Institute, Gabasawa. ii. Abdurrahman Nuraini • General Manager, Abubakar Rimi Television (ARTV) iii. Justice Sadi Mato Ministry of Justice Compassionately, Council approved as follows; • Release of the sum of N1,000,000.00 to each of the three (3) bereaved families totaling to the aggregate sum of N3,000,000.00. • Sponsoring the education of children of each of the deceased Officers up to the University level. Commiserating with each of the respective bereaved families, Council collectively meditated sorrowfully and prayed for the Mercy of the Almighty Allah to grant eternal bliss and residence in Jannatil – fir – Dausi to each of the deceased Senior Public Officials. d) Request for Funds to Enable the Payment of Outstanding Claims on Unpaid Works Executed by Several Contractors (Companies) for the Take – Off of the Corporate Security Training Institute, Gabasawa:- The Corporate Security Institute, Gabasawa is among the twenty-one (21) newly established Tertiary Institutions by the present administration in Kano State. Academic and general activities/operations at the Institute have fully taken – off with the Institute having graduated its second set of trainees on Tuesday 24th September, 2013. Nevertheless, details on outstanding payments owed Contractors for executing various projects that ensured the immediate take–off of the Institute were presented to Council for consideration. Five (5) such Contractors were still owed the aggregate sum of N12,167,413.25, which was requested for release by Council to enable settlement. Considering authenticity of the request, Council approved the release of the requested sum of N12,167,413.25 to the Office of the Secretary to the State Government to enable payment to the presented owed Contractors through the Ministry of Works, Housing and Transport. e) Presentation of Strategies to Access Funds From the N220 Billion CBN Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Fund:- A request for the Kano State Government to set up an appropriate Committee to study the guidelines stipulated for the operations of the N132 Billion Women Component and develop strategies that will enable Kano State access the fund cited was presented to Council for consideration. Office of the Secretary to the State Government endorsed and presented the request for consideration by Council, on behalf of the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development. Significance of the request to Women Empowerment Programs of the present administration prompted Council to approve the setting up of a 5 – Member Committee comprising: i. Hon. Commissioner, Finance – Chairman ii. Hon. Commissioner, Women Affairs – Member iii. Hon. Commissioner, Commerce – Member iv. Hon. Commissioner, Planning and Budget – Member v. Special Adviser State CRC – Member Appointment Letters were directed to be issued to the appointed Committee Members by the Office of the Secretary to the State Government. f) Presentation of Request on the Need to Collaborate and Ensure/Enhance Synergy Between the National Security and State Outfits Such as Corporate Security Guards, Hisbah Board, etc.:- Security to lives and property is a basic human requirement. Its provision is paramount and squarely rests on Governments/authorities at all three (3) (Federal, State and Local) levels. As such, based on Executive Directives issued to the Office of the Secretary to the State Government to advise Government on issues raised in a memorandum submitted to Council for consideration from the Special Services Directorate, the following were submitted for consideration and approval by Council: i. A Stakeholders Forum between Government and Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps to be organized and financed by the State Government. ii. Harmonization/Integration of Security Assets (Personnel) in Kano State to be conducted by the Special Services Directorate to include the State Corporate Security Guards, Vigilante Groups, Hisbah Board and Kano Road Traffic Agency (KAROTA) with a view to protecting the State’s critical assets/infrastructure. The presentation was acknowledged appreciatively as Council approved and directed the execution of the two (2) prayers/recommendations on the issue in question. g) Request for Funds to Enable the Participation of Kano State Contingent at the 6th Edition of Annual National Sports Festival Tagged “Uyo 2013” in Akwa Ibom State (13th – 24th November, 2013):- Invitation from the Nigeria Schools Sports Federation (NSSF) to the State Government was received through the Ministry of Education and submitted by the Office of the Secretary to the State Government for consideration by Council. The correspondence was requesting the Kano State Government to sponsor its representatives to participate in the event cited. Plausible reasons forwarded informed Council to approve the release of the requested sum of N5,791,500.00 for the purpose in accordance to the details presented. h) Request for Funds to Enable the Payment of Monthly Allowances to Members of the Kano State Film Censorship Board:- Statutory Provisions informed the Secretary to the State Government to endorse and forward the request of the State Film Censorship Board for the release of the sum of N3,120,000.00 to be disbursed as monthly allowances to its members as follows: i. September, 2012 – March, 2013 = N1,680,000.00 ii. April – September, 2013 = N1,440,000.00 Total = N3,120,000.00 Details presented were considered as Council approved the release of the requested sum of N3,120,000.00 to the Kano State Film Censorship Board to disburse to its eight (8) Members as allowances for the number of months presented. i) Request for Funds to Sponsor 185 Participants Including the Directors and Managing Directors of Thirty-Seven (37) Newly Established Micro Finance Banks to attend Mandatory Annual Training Workshop:- The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) provided guidelines that stipulate Directors, etc. of Micro Finance Banks have to attend mandatory training workshops annually in order to be sensitized on modern practice and policies in the Micro Finance Banking Industry. The contents of this memorandum submitted a request from the Ministry of Planning and Budget for the release of the sum of N2,775,000.00 to sponsor 185 participants at the rate of N15,000.00 each to attend the workshop. Relevance and statutory nature of the request prompted the granting of approval by Council for the release of the requested sum of N2,775,000.00 to the Ministry of Planning and Budget to enable the 185 stated Officials attend the mandatory annual workshop organized for Stakeholders in the Micro Finance Banks. j) Presentation of Report on the Proposed Institute of Qur’anic and Western Education:- The contents of this memorandum notified Council of achievements attained regarding the setting up of the Institute of Qur’anic and Western Education. i. The action plan for the take–off of the Institute of Qur’anic and Western Education is already prepared (in – place). ii. That four (4) among the defunct Implementation Committee Members are to see to the immediate take–off of the Institute by November, 2013. iii. That the Institute planned to begin academic activities with a one (1) year Professional Diploma with emphasis on Principles of Education, Teaching Method and Lesson Plan preparation. iv. Site for the Institute has been decided upon while advertisements calling for applicants for admission should be placed. v. Lecturers/Resource persons have already been identified from Bayero University Kano (BUK) and Aminu Kano College of Islamic Legal Studies (AKCILS). vi. Sixteen (16) LGCAs have already submitted application forms for admission. vii. That the need to provide Hostels/Transport fares or means for the Students was identified. The presentation was acknowledged with appreciation as Council approved: i. That the Honourable Commissioner, Ministry of Works, Housing and Transport should ensure the provision of site for the Institute. ii. That Office of the Secretary to the State Government should place relevant advertisements in the Media to sensitize the public on the establishment of the Institute and invite applications from qualified candidates for admission. k) Presentation of Progress Report from the Monitoring and Evaluation Unit of the State Community Reorientation Council (CRC) for the Months of April and July, 2013:- The Kano State Community Reorientation Council (CRC) was established and mandated to execute peculiar public spirited projects/services. To check its own performance, the CRC has a Monitoring and Evaluation Unit, which scrutinizes and reports on progress/performance of all projects under its responsibility. Highlights of the report for the months of April and July, 2013 were presented to Council for consideration: The progress report was on empowerment/otherwise projects executed across the three (3) Senatorial Zones (i.e. North, South and Central) of the State. These include the Lafiya Jari, Women Empowerment, Youth Empowerment, Butchers Empowerment, Disable Empowerment, Feeding in Primary Schools, Provision of School Uniforms, Zuma Production, etc. programs/Schemes. The highlights submitted, through the contents of memorandum informed Council to: i. Direct the State Coordinator Lafiya Jari to instruct the beneficiaries of the Lafiya Jari program to employ shop attendants. ii. Direct the Special Adviser CRC to collaborate with the Special Adviser on Metropolitan Issues and the CRC LGCAs Chairmen to ensure that butchers comply with stipulated principles of utilizing modern implements/tools in their operations to ensure food security. iii. Direct the Honourable Commissioner, Ministry for Local Governments/Deputy Governor to instruct the IMO Karaye LGC to renovate the slaughter house/Abattoir in his LG with a view to ensuring food security. iv. Direct the Special Adviser CRC to comply with guidelines on Pupil feeding program across the 44 LGCAs of the State. l) Presentation of Progress Report on the Conversion of KASCO Stores Across the 44 LGCAs in the State into Skills Acquisition Center (Garment Clusters):- Laudable/Commendable policies of the present administration in Kano State prompted the Kano State Executive Council to approve the conversion of unused KASCO Stores across the 44 LGCAs of the State into Skills Acquisition Centers (Garment Clusters). The Ministry of Works, Housing and Transport compiled and submitted progress report to the Council. Highlights of the report were presented for the consideration of the Council: i. 100% Completion of the conversion of the Stores to Skill Acquisition Centers in– Nine (9) LGs (Bagwai, Garun Malam, Gaya, Kabo, Karaye, Makoda, Shanono, Ungogo and Warawa. • The Contractors that executed the work were commended for a job well done in the speedy execution of the projects using qualitative materials. ii. 80% Completion of the project in– Six (6) LGs (Gwarzo, Rano, Takai, Tofa, Tsanyawa and Wudil). • Though levels of progress are above average and quality of materials used is satisfactory, there is the need for the Contractors to intensify their efforts to ensure the completion of the projects as scheduled. iii. 60% Completion of the project in– Eleven (11) LGs (Albasu, Bichi, D/Kudu, D/Tofa, Garko, Kumbotso, Kura, Minjibir, Rogo, Sumaila and Tarauni). • The Contractors were encouraged to exert more effort to hasten the completion of the projects without compromising quality. iv. 40% - 59% Completion of the project in – Seventeen (17) LGs (Ajingi, Bebeji, Bunkure, Dambatta, Doguwa, Fagge, Gabasawa, Gezawa, Gwale, Municipal, Kibiya, Kunchi, Kiru, Madobi, Nassarawa, Rimin Gado and Tudun Wada). • The Contractors were cautioned/warned to double their efforts to ensure the completion of the projects on schedule. v. 0%Completion – one (1) LG (Dala) • Council was not happy to see that the project is yet to start. Council appreciatively acknowledged the presentation commending the Ministry of Works, Housing and Transport in ensuring proper monitoring and evaluation of the progress of work on the projects to guarantee their quality and speedy completion. m) Presentation of Final Report on Maganda Road KASCO Assorted Fertilizer Store Counting:- The Monitoring Committee on the Production and Distribution of KASCO assorted fertilizer Store submitted its final report on the commodity for the year 2013 to the Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources, highlights of which were presented for consideration by Council. The following statistics were specifically highlighted: • Stock Details – by 5th September, 2012 at Maganda Road Store = 27,798.00 bags of 50 kg NPK or 1,390.00 Metric tons or 46.33 trucks. • Stock Details – by November, 2012 at Maganda Road Store = 600 bags of 50 kg NPK or 30 Metric tons or one (1) truck. Total = 28,398.00 bags of 50kg NPK or 1,420 metric tons or 47.33 trucks. • Distribution to sixty (60) wards as from 22/09/2013 to 03/01/2014. Details were presented to Council for consideration along with the anomalies discovered which Council acknowledged. n) Request for Funds to Enable the Establishment of Demonstration Plots for Intensive Moringa (Zogale) Cultivation Under Irrigation and Also Zogale Industrial Plantation for Production of Zogale Seeds:- The Zogale Plant (Crop) has been proved to have immense nutritional and medicinal value that makes its demand high calling for the capacity/capability to produce it in commercial quantities. As such, the Senior Special Assistant on Agriculture (SSAA) submitted a proposal to Council for consideration on the establishment of demonstration plots for intensive Zogale cultivation under irrigation and also Zogale Industrial Plantation for production of Zogale Seeds. Details on the requirements were presented to Council for consideration along with the request for the release of the aggregate sum of N2,900,000.00 for the purpose. Considering the potential impact of the project in creating opportunities for smallholder farmers of both genders, Council approved the release of the requested sum of N2,900,000.00 to enable the execution of the stated project. o) Presentation of Report on the Appearance of Underweight NPK Fertilizer Bags at Maganda Road KASCO Stores:- Underweight NPK fertilizer bags were discovered among the consignment collected from the Maganda Road Fertilizer KASCO Store for distribution at Yalwa Karama Ward in Tofa LGCA on Sunday 22nd September, 2013. The embarrassing discovery was reported for the consideration of the Council from the Monitoring Committee on the Production and Distribution of KASCO Fertilizer. Council acknowledged the presentation in dismay and awaits further details on the report. 2. OFFICE OF DEPUTY GOVERNOR/HON. COMMISSIONER FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENTS Both memoranda submitted for deliberation by Council from this Office were approved for execution as follows: a) Presentation of Information on Privatization of Kano State Electricity Distribution Company Plc:- The Deputy Governor/Hon. Commissioner for Local Governments amply reminded Council, through the contents of this memorandum on the details that transpired between the Kano State Government and Sahelian Power (SPV) Company on the issue cited. Meanwhile, the Kano State Government presented its position in respect of the on – going negotiations with the Bureau for Public Enterprises and the NERC as follows: • That Kano State Government should be considered a major co–owner in the privatization exercise. • That the proposed handover/transfer of ownership of Kano Disco to Sahelian Company (SPV) be put on hold pending the outcome of valuation exercise by the National Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) on the “Acceptable Asset Base” of Kano State Government in the erstwhile PHCN Infrastructure. • That NERC had agreed to accelerate and complete the process of valuation of the “Assets” in respect of the Kano State Government as soon as it received confirmation from Kano PHCN. • That the Counsel to Kano State Government had written a letter to Bureau for Public Enterprises requesting them to suspend the ceremonial transfer of ownership of Kano Disco Plc to Sahehian (SPV) slated for 1st October, 2013 pending determination of the on – going negotiation between the parties as to the actual stake of all concerned. Importantly, highlights of the issues deliberated upon were presented to Council for information. Council appreciatively acknowledged the presentation and awaits outcome of further developments on the issue. b) Presentation of Request by SUBEB for the 44 LGCs to Introduce Allocation of Monthly Supplementary Overhead to the Local Education Authorities in their Respective Domains:- The contents of this memorandum forwarded the request for a supplementary monthly overhead by Local Government Councils to augment the meager amount given to Local Government Education Authorities by the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBUB) to enable them cope with the new challenge of overseeing the activities of Primary Schools. The recommended supplementary overhead for Local Government Education Authorities is classified into three (3) categories of N200,000.00, N150,000.00 & N100,000.00 in accordance with the number of Schools and size of enrollment figures; viz: CATEGORY A N200,000.00 DALA, FAGGE, GWALE, MUNICIPAL, KUMBOTSO, NASSARAWA, TARAUNI AND UNGOGO CATEGORY B N150,000.00 BICHI, D/KUDU, GABASAWA, GEZAWA, KIRU, MINJIBIR, ROGO AND WUDIL CATEGORY C N100,000.00 AJINGI, ALBASU, BAGWAI, BEBEJI, BUNKURE, DANBATTA. Council considered the request relevant and mandated the Deputy Governor/Hon. Commissioner for Local Governments to handle the issue. 3. MINISTRY OF RURAL AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT Presentation of Report on the Existence of Scrap/Obsolete Machineries, Heavy Duty Plants and Unserviceable Vehicles in Various Locations/Premises of the Ministry of Rural and Community Development/RUWASA:- An administrative Committee set–up to look into the issue reported upon compiled an inventory of all Scrap/Obsolete Machineries, Heavy Duty Plants and unserviceable vehicles in various locations/premises of the Ministry of Rural and Community Development/Rural Water Supply Agency (RUWASA). The Committee recommended that all the inventoried items are beyond repairs and any attempt to salvage them is uneconomical. Disposing them as they stand was recommended to restore clean, decent and cozy environment around the locations/premises under consideration. Council acknowledged the presentation and approved as recommended and directed the Ministry of Finance to step-in and carryout the disposal assignment under the usual arrangement. 4. OFFICE OF THE HEAD OF CIVIL SERVICE Presentation of Request for the Appointment of Malama Zainab Abdulkadir, Former Coordinator, Kano Informatics Institute) into the Mainstream Public Service:- This memorandum was in respect of the transfer of Malama Zainab Abdulkadir, a Program Analyst on Salary Grade GL 09 from Kano Informatics Institute to the main civil service of the State. Council deliberated on the reasons offered for the transfer and approved the request that the officer be posted to Kano State Polytechnics as a lecturer. 5. MINISTRY OF FINANCE Presentation of Report on Actual Debt Stock and its Service Figures as well as the Revenue Figures for Kano State up to the 2nd Quarter of 2013:- The Honourable Commissioner, Ministry of Finance notified Council through the contents of this memorandum that, the Debt Management Office, Abuja has requested submission of the Actual Domestic Debt Stock, its service figures as well as the Revenue Figures for Kano State up to 2ndquarter, 2013. Responding, the Ministry of Finance conducted an exercise for data/information validation, through its Debt Management Unit along with the Treasury and Final Accounts Department. Data were compiled from MDAs on the State Government’s public debt. The State inherited a debt of N76.279 billion out of which the sum of N44,074,099,000.00 was paid and most of the abandoned projects were revalidated and completed or are on-going. Applying standard criteria/methodology in the verification of the domestic debt stock, the Technical Committee assigned for the job forwarded the following for consideration by Council: i. Recurrent LiabilityN65,901,000.00 ii. Capital LiabilityN2,351,000,000.00 iii. Certified ProjectsN1,070,000,000.00 iv. Current ApprovalsN5,409,000,000.00 v. Pension ContributionN3,099,000,000.00 vi. Local Govt. Joint AccountNIL vii. Fed. Ind. Rev. Serv.N1,298,000,000.00 viii. MDAs N18,912,000,000.00 TotalN32,204,901,000.00 As such, the Ministry of Finance requested for the granting of permission by Council to use the Technical Committee’s figure (N32,204,901,000.00) in submitting the domestic debt from Kano State to the Debt Management Office, Abuja. Appreciating the presentation, Council approved as requested. 6. MINISTRY OF WOMEN AFFAIRS AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT Presentation of Report on the Recently Concluded Special Marriage Orientation Workshop Conducted Across the 44 LGCAs in Kano State:- The contents of this memorandum reminded Council of its granting of approval for the release of the sum of N20,302,000.00 to enable the conduct of the Special Marriage Orientation Workshop. The Workshop was successfully conducted across the 44 LGCAs by the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development in conjunction with Hisbah Board and AI Families/Nana Asma’u Women Center kicking – off in July, 2013 and concluded 26th September, 2013 at Kiru LGCA. Relatedly, the success recorded in conducting the Workshop prompted the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development to forward the following four (4) prayers for consideration and approval by Council; i. That the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development be granted the opportunity to conduct the Workshop annually. ii. That both gender should participate in subsequent Workshop. iii. That the six (6) pamphlets titled “Tsarabar Ma’aurata” distributed as gifts to the participants from Governor Engr. Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso, FNSE be compressed and published into a six (6) Chapters single book to be continually distributed at such/related events. iv. That each of the participants at the recently concluded Workshop be granted the sum of N10,000.00 by their respective Local Government Councils. Acknowledging the presentation favourably, Council approved execution of the four (4) prayers forwarded and directed the 44 LGCs to handle items (iii. and iv.). In other words, each of the44 LGCAs is to provide N1,000,000.00 for the 100 participants selected from their domain (100 x N10,000.00 x 44 = N44,000,000.00). 7. MINISTRY OF WORKS, HOUSING AND TRANSPORT Presentation on and Request for August, 2013 Salary for Staff of Amana Leasing Company Staff:- The Honourable Commissioner, Ministry of Works, Housing and Transport intimated Council, on behalf of the Senior Special Assistant (SSA) Transport that the established Amana Leasing Company has ten (10) Staff whose salary for August, 2013 is in the sum of N241,000.00. Approval for release of the salary to the ten (10) Staff in cash was sought being of Junior Cadre and yet to open Bank Accounts. Council noted, considered and approved the release of the sum of N241,000.00 to the Ministry of Works, Housing and Transport for onward payment to the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to enable the payment of the August, 2013 salary in cash to the ten (10) staff working under him. 8. MINISTRY OF PLANNING AND BUDGET Presentation of Request for Funds to Conduct “Pilot Skills Acquisition Training Program” for 176 Candidates Selected Across the 44 LGCAs:- Council was tacitly reminded through the contents of this memorandum, of its approval granted for the release of the sum of N1,760,000.00 as counterpart funding to facilitate the sponsorship of 176 selected candidates across the 44 LGCAs for skills acquisition program organized by DFID under its Growth Employment and Markets in the States (GEMS 2) Program. The GEMS 2 program of the DFID has already expended about N10,000,000.00 in conducting the activities listed below. Thus: • Completion/Design of Curricula Plans and training materials (Instructor Manuals) at basic level for four (4) construction related trades (painting, plumbing, carpentry and block – laying). • Completion of Skills assessment instruments for the same four (4) trades. • Conducting oral and written aptitude assessment of 152 eligible trainees. • Developing an electronic database of Nigeria Institute of Builders (NIOB) Artisans members. Nevertheless, the 30 – day envisaged training course was designed/planned for commencement in October, 2013 involving 80 trainees using facilities available at Kano Technical College, which were found inadequate for the proposed training requiring improvement with provision of the following: • 12 sets of tools for the four (4) training workshops to be conducted and sustained continuously after the pilot training course at Kano Technical College-N5,670,000.00 • Consumables for the pilot training course-N1,360,000.00 • Daily transportation allowances for 80 trainees to ensure regular attendance- N1,480,000.00 • Overhead and administrative fees-N260,000.00 Total-N8,770,000.00 As such, Council was requested to consider and approve the release of additional sum of N8,770,000.00 as counterpart cash contribution to GEMS 2. Congruence of the project/request to the laudable youth empowerment policy of the present administration prompted Council to approve the release of the sum of N8,770,000.00 as additional counterpart cash contribution to GEMS 2 through the Ministry of Planning and Budget. 3
Posted on: Sun, 27 Oct 2013 18:56:00 +0000
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