By Atoyebi Nike
The Kebbi State Executive Council has approved N4.05 billion for the rehabilitation of seven general hospitals across the state.
The Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Alhaji Junaidu Marshall, announced this after the council meeting held in Birnin Kebbi on Wednesday under the chairmanship of Governor Nasir Idris.
Marshall said the decision reflects the government’s commitment to improving healthcare delivery and equipping hospitals to better serve residents. The hospitals to benefit from the rehabilitation are located in Kambaza, Suru, Kamba, Dirin-Daji, Kangiwa, Koko and Yauri.
He explained that Argungu General Hospital had already been rehabilitated and fitted with modern equipment, while hospitals in Zaga, Zuru, Bunza, Gulma, Bena, Jega, Shanga and Sir Yahaya Memorial Hospital in Birnin Kebbi were either completed or under renovation.
He said a total of 16 general hospitals had been rehabilitated so far, and the governor promised that all 30 general hospitals in the state would be upgraded before the end of his tenure.
The council also approved N570 million for the Kebbi Contributory Healthcare Management Agency to register 45,000 vulnerable people across the state. Each of the 225 wards will register at least 200 individuals under the State Social Register.
Under the World Bank IMPACT project, the state has provided counterpart funding for the rehabilitation of 73 primary healthcare centres. An additional 42 centres will be rehabilitated to meet national standards.
The council further approved N407.5 million as a take-off grant for the Kebbi State Drugs, Medical and Consumable Agency to ensure the availability of affordable drugs.
In the area of planning, the council approved the establishment of the Kebbi State Bureau of Statistics with a take-off grant of N900 million. Professor Umar Usman has been appointed as the Statistician-General.
To support agriculture, the council approved the procurement of 2,000 power tillers for N3 billion under the Kaura Development Agenda to boost farming activities.
In the education sector, N1.4 billion was approved for the purchase of school furniture to improve learning conditions across schools in the state.
Marshall appealed to residents for their support, stressing that the government is committed to improving living standards across all sectors.
