Katsina Government Justifies N7.8bn Spending On Security

 

Katsina State Government on Monday justified the N7.8 billion spent for the purchase of security equipment in efforts to end banditry and other security challenges bedeviling the state.

They include arms and ammunition, vehicles, motorcycles, armoured personnel carriers, surveillance cameras, night goggles, and protective equipment among others

The Commissioner for Local Governments and Chieftaincy Affairs, Associate Professor Badamasi Lawal Charanchi, disclosed this in his office during a media chat on Monday.

He said 70 percent of the equipment has already been provided, adding that within the limited time, full-time operation against bandits and other criminal elements will commence.

“In the human security aspect, 150 young energetic youth were screened for community watch corps in each of the eight most vulnerable LGAs; they have been trained and are still in the camp.

“Allowances will be provided for the night watchmen, so also the community watch corps not only being kitted but will be provided with remuneration.

“We also come up with strategies to make people have security education. People should be able to know when, what, and how they should be able to help the government with information that will help in curbing insecurity in the state,” he added.

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The commissioner while talking about local government autonomy, stated that the sum of N1.8b was approved and released by the state governor, Dikko Radda, based on their needs, submissions, and requests.

“When we came on board and when I was sworn in as Commissioner for Local Governments and Chieftaincy Affairs, the sum of N1.8 billion was approved and released by the governor to local governments based on their needs, submissions, or requests.

“It has taken time for local governments in the state to get these kinds of approvals. We went out to a few LGAs to see what’s obtainable with regards to such monies released to them.

“For instance when we went to Rimi, we saw a number of activities as it relates to the N42 million released to them for the construction of primary schools drainages retaining wall and the rest of them.

“When we moved on to Mani LGA, we saw how three water tanker vehicles were being renovated, and about 6 classrooms were being rehabilitated.

“When we went to Mashi LGA, we saw the parameter wall fencing of the police station.

“When we went to Dutsi, we saw electrification, drainages, and other developmental projects the LGAs requested and money was released to them.

“So, if money is released to LGAs to perform its function, which autonomy is one talking about?” he asked.

He restated the commitment of the current state administration to continue monitoring all the developmental projects so that, the yearnings of the people in the localities will be achieved.

“On the distribution of palliatives, it has gone down to LGAs to cushion the effect of the fuel subsidy removal.

“In Katsina State, we have different types of palliatives. The first palliative was the purchase and distribution of 100 bags of assorted grains in each of the 361 wards of the 34 LGAs of the State.

“The second palliative, 40,000 bags of grains were as well distributed across the LGAs

“The third palliative was the provision of 40 number vehicles across the state to ease transportation problems.

“More palliatives are coming especially when the remaining balance of 3 billion Naira is released by the Federal Government to Katsina State.

“Initially, 2 billion Naira was released by the Federal Government and you could see how effective the money was utilized where apart from food items, part of the money was distributed to vulnerable households and widows.”