The Honourable Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN has commended the government and people of Kano State on their commitment towards road infrastructure development in the state.
Fashola gave the commendation when he paid a courtesy visit to Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, OFR, at Government House Kano, during the 28th National Council Meeting on Works which held in Kano .
Fashola said that the Kano state government has made huge investment in road infrastructure development stressing how difficult it was to get to Kano during his first trip to Kano as a minister when the new government of Kano state came on board in 2015 at the peak of construction work but the result has become manifest and travel time within the metropolis has drastically reduced.
“I extend my commendation to your government for the commitment you have made in improving infrastructure of Nigeria by the investment you made in infrastructure in Kano State. I know how difficult it was in my first trip here when you took office in 2015. The State Government then, was at the peak of construction work but the result has become manifest. Travelling time within the metropolis is better, that is what infrastructure does to facilitate growth and development,” said Fashola.
The Minister revealed that Kano State has been at the forefront when it comes to issues relating to compensation on “Right of Way” during road construction by the Federal Government in the state, adding that the state government usually takes it upon itself and resolves compensation issues despite the fact that the law allows that the acquiring authority is the one obliged to pay compensation.
“When we have issues relating to compensation for “Right of Way”, Kano State Government has stepped forward to say that land is a state matter.
Kano State Government will solve the compensation matter within Kano State and resolve it. It is a good example which other states are expected to commend and emulate because by law land is a sub national and state matter. The Law describes that the acquiring authority is the one obliged to pay compensation,” said Fashola.
Fashola publicly acknowledged the partnership Federal Ministry of Works and Housing has had by working with Kano State Government which he said has been very strategic and helpful to the mandate of the Ministry as directed by Mr. President.
“I just wish to publicly acknowledge the partnership that we have benefitted as a ministry by working with you personally and working with your government that it has been very very strategic and helpful to our mandate by Mr. President,” Fashola said.
He added that the Federal Government is not competing with any state government, adding that it is the responsibility of federal government to support every state government to achieve its developmental objectives as conceived by the state government.
“We are not competing with any state; after all we are the federal government. Our responsibility is to support every state to achieve its developmental objectives as conceived by the state government,” said Fashola.
Fashola thanked Kano State Governor for responding quickly when requested to acquire land to build a housing estate was made.
He also disclosed that coincidentally Kano State has the highest number of the Ministry’s projects in the country that it is not only by distance but also by budget and cost. He mentioned the Kano –Maiduguri road that ends in kano, the Abuja – kaduna – Kano road, the Kano- Katsina road among others that the state is blessed with and it is strategic for the development of our country.
The Minister expressed his heart felt gratitude to Kano State Government for accepting to play host to this year’s 28th National Council on Works.
While responding to the Honourable Minister, The Governor of Kano State, Dr, Abudulahi Umar Ganduje thanked the Federal Government for investing heavily on road infrastructure and housing development in the state. He noted that before the coming into power of the present administration, many road projects in the state were abandoned, but now they are receiving commendable attention from the Federal Government.
He acknowledged the good and working relationship between the Kano State Commissioner of Works and Infrastructure and the Federal Controller of Works Kano State Engr. Yahaya Ali, adding that it has helped to improve infrastructural works in the state.
He thanked the Minister for accepting to host the 2022 National Council on Works Meeting in Kano State and assured all delegates maximum security and safety during their stay in Kano State.
Lere- Adams Blessing
(Director Press and Public Relations)
August 26,2022.
