Katsina State Government has prioritize effective governance through well structured policies aimed at improving public service delivery through key initiatives.
The state deputy governor Mal Faruq Lawal stated this during the maiden monthly press briefing introduced on the central achievement of the state government.
Briefing the news men, the state deputy governor Mal Faruq Lawal noted that the policies introduce include establishment of a coordinated public sector that allows policies and programs to be implemented for the delivery of services to the people in an effective, efficient, accountable and transparent manner.
Mal Faruq Lawal explained that the current administration has subjected the appointment of permanent secretaries to merit based on selected process, ensured the training and re-training of civil servants totalling 3,200 and released the sum of 200 million naira as refurbishment loan to civil servants in the state.
He added that Government has expanded wage award and Ramadan package to civil servants and pensioners this is in addition to distribution of 3,000 bags maize and 5,000 bags of rice as palliatives to workers in the state and local government areas.
The deputy governor revealed that to further motivate civil servants, the present administration has introduced annual merit awards to the best performing civil servants in the state and local government services where 14 workers have been identified for their outstanding performance.
Similarly the state government has approved the payment of outstanding gratuity to the tune of over 24 billion naira for both the state and the local governments.
On the issue of new minimum wage, the state government is committed towards implementing it, as high powered committee has been set up to work out modalities for the implementation in the state.
On the issue of social care, the state government is harmonizing and validating the social register for the poor and the vulnerable households in all the local government areas.
Furthermore, the state government has successfully distributed relief materials procured by the state emergency management agency to 10,450 beneficiaries as support to victims of various disasters, distribution of 7,128 bags of assorted grains to less privileged, internally displaced persons, flood victims, women and vulnerable groups.
Moreover in line with the current administration strategic policy document, ‘building your future’, Katsina State Enterprise development agency KASEDA has been established with the responsibility of promoting micro, small and medium enterprises development.
Additionally under the KT-CARES the state government also injected over 8 billion naira where a total of 12,916 poor and vulnerable households benefited through the community and social development agency CSDA while through FADAMA program a total of 11,996 farmers have benefitted with agric inputs and 31,990 farmers also benefited from agric assets which cost Government over 3 billion naira respectively
Also the state government has adopted the strategy of assisting victims of banditry through provision of relief materials, medicare and financial assistance.
In conclusion, the state deputy governor expressed gratitude to the good people of the state for their unwavering support and understanding pointing out that the press briefing will be continued on monthly basis showcasing the achievement of the current administration.