By Damilare Adeleye
The Kano State government has approved the sum of ₦99,928,541.63 for the reconstruction and renovation of the defective wall fence and surroundings at the Nassarawa Emir’s Palace where the 15th Emir of Kano, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero is currently occupying.
Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf announced the approval on his official Facebook page on Sunday following the 15th Executive Council Meeting 15th on Saturday.
The Executive Council also approved other projects notable among them include the renovation and upgrade of the D-Ward for the establishment of a Sickle-Cell Care Unit at the Murtala Muhammad Specialist Hospital, Kano at the sum of 81,621,546.76 and a contract for the construction of Post-Midwifery Institute at Gezawa local government area at the sum of N770,858,450.39.
Also, the state executive council approved a contract for the completion of the construction of College of Nursing and Midwifery at Madobi local government area at the sum of N57,066,422.52.
It also earmarked the sum of N447,621,640.79 for the payment for the excess workload allowances for lecturers in the two state-owned universities, Aliko Dangote University of Science and Technology Wudil (ADUST) and Yusuf Maitama Sule University, Kano (YUMSUK).
The governor said, “I am excited to announce that The Kano State Executive Council at its 15th meeting, today, has approved the Renovation & Upgrade of the D-Ward for the establishment of a Sickle-Cell Care Unit at the Murtala Muhd Specialist Hospital, Kano at the sum of 81,621,546.76.
“The Council has also okayed the following, among other important approvals:
“A contract for the construction of Post-Midwifery Institute at Gezawa Local Government Area at the sum of 770,858,450.39.
“A contract for the completion of the construction of College of Nursing and Midwifery at Madobi Local Government Area at the sum of 57,066,422.52.
“Payment for the excess workload allowances for lecturers in the two state-owned universities, ADUST and YUMSUK at the sum of 447,621,640.79.”
It would be recalled that the state government had ordered the eviction of Bayero from the mini palace in the Nasarawa area of Kano metropolis on Thursday, asserting that the property belongs to the state and is slated for renovation, which includes demolishing part of its wall.
However, State’s Commissioner of Police, AIG Usaini Gumel, has not enforced the eviction order, citing the need to await a court ruling.
AIG Gumel said the government filed a case at the State High Court regarding the eviction, with a hearing set for Monday, June 24, 2024.
Security was also beefed up around the Nasarawa mini palace likely to thwart any attempt to demolish the building.