The Kebbi State Executive Council has approved N4.05 billion for the rehabilitation of seven General Hospitals across the state as part of its ongoing efforts to strengthen healthcare infrastructure.
The approval was announced by the State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Alhaji Junaidu Marshall, after the council meeting presided over by Governor Nasir Idris in Birnin Kebbi on Wednesday.
Marshall said the rehabilitation project reflects the government’s commitment to improving healthcare delivery and ensuring hospitals are well-equipped to serve the people efficiently.
He listed the hospitals to benefit as those in Kambaza, Suru, Kamba, Dirin-Daji, Kangiwa, Koko, and Yauri. He added that Argungu General Hospital had already been fully rehabilitated, while others in Zaga, Zuru, Bunza, Gulma, Bena, Jega, Shanga, and Sir Yahaya Memorial Hospital in Birnin Kebbi were either completed or undergoing renovation.
“With this approval, a total of 16 general hospitals have been rehabilitated under Governor Idris’s administration,” Marshall said. “The goal is to ensure that all 30 general hospitals in Kebbi are upgraded before the end of his tenure.”
The council also approved N570 million for the Kebbi Contributory Healthcare Management Agency (KECHEMA) to register 45,000 vulnerable residents under the State Social Register, with each of the 225 wards expected to enroll at least 200 individuals.
“This initiative will help expand access to affordable healthcare for vulnerable citizens across the state,” Marshall added.
He further disclosed that the government had provided counterpart funding under the World Bank IMPACT project for the rehabilitation of 73 primary healthcare centres and approved an additional 42 centres for renovation.
To improve access to affordable medicine, the council also approved N407.5 million as a take-off grant for the Kebbi State Drugs, Medical and Consumables Agency.
In a related development, the Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Dr. Abba Sani-Kalgo, revealed that the council approved the establishment of the Kebbi State Bureau of Statistics with a N900 million take-off grant. Professor Umar Usman was appointed as the state’s first Statistician-General.
He said the new bureau would provide credible data to guide government planning and development projects.
The Commissioner for Agriculture, Alhaji Shehu Mu’azu, also announced the approval of N3 billion for the purchase of 2,000 power tillers under the Kaura Development Agenda (KADAGE) to support farmers.
Similarly, the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Attahiru Maccido, confirmed that N1.4 billion was approved for the procurement of school furniture to improve learning conditions across public schools in the state.