The Kebbi State Executive Council has approved the rehabilitation of seven General Hospitals across the state at a total cost of N4.05 billion.
The State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Junaidu Marshall, disclosed this to newsmen shortly after the council meeting held on Wednesday in Birnin Kebbi, which was presided over by Governor Nasir Idris.
Marshall said the move reflects the state government’s commitment to improving healthcare delivery and ensuring hospitals are adequately equipped to serve residents.
He listed the benefiting hospitals as Kambaza, Suru, Kamba, Dirin-Daji, Kangiwa, Koko, and Yauri.
“In addition to these, the Argungu General Hospital has already been rehabilitated and equipped with modern facilities to efficiently serve the people,” he said.
Marshall added that hospitals in Zaga, Zuru, Bunza, Gulma, Bena, Jega, Shanga, and Sir Yahaya Memorial Hospital in Birnin Kebbi have either been completed or are currently undergoing rehabilitation.
According to him, a total of 16 general hospitals have been rehabilitated so far under the Idris administration, in addition to the seven newly approved projects.
He said the governor assured that before the end of his tenure, all 30 general hospitals in the state would be rehabilitated and fully equipped.
Marshall also announced that the council had approved the release of N570 million to the Kebbi Contributory Healthcare Management Agency (KECHEMA) for the registration of 45,000 vulnerable persons under the State Social Register.
“This means each of the 225 wards in the state will register at least 200 vulnerable individuals,” he explained, adding that the effort would strengthen KECHEMA’s mandate of providing affordable healthcare to the poor.
He further revealed that under the World Bank IMPACT Project, the state had provided counterpart funding for the rehabilitation of 73 primary healthcare centres.
“To complement that effort, the council also approved the rehabilitation of an additional 42 primary healthcare centres across the local government areas in line with national standards,” he added.
The council, according to Marshall, also approved N407.5 million as a take-off grant for the Kebbi State Drugs, Medical and Consumables Agency, aimed at ensuring the availability of subsidized drugs in the state.
Marshall appealed for public support and understanding, assuring that the Idris administration remains committed to improving the welfare of the people.
Also speaking, the Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Dr. Abba Sani-Kalgo, said the council approved the establishment of the Kebbi State Bureau of Statistics to provide reliable and verifiable data for effective planning.
He said Governor Idris approved N900 million as a take-off grant for the bureau and appointed Prof. Umar Usman as the substantive Statistician-General of the state.
“This bureau will ensure credible data collection for planning and monitoring development programmes in the state,” Sani-Kalgo said.
In his remarks, the Commissioner for Agriculture, Shehu Mu’azu, announced that the council approved the procurement of 2,000 power tillers worth N3 billion under the Kaura Development Agenda (KADAGE) to boost agricultural activities.
Similarly, the Chief of Staff, Government House, Attahiru Maccido, said the council approved N1.4 billion for the procurement of school furniture to improve learning conditions across the state’s schools.
