Kaduna State Government Empowers 4,912 Women

John Shiklam in Kaduna

The Kaduna State Government has empowered 4,912 women under its poverty alleviation programme – ” A Kori Talauchi”.

Ayuba Bello, Principal Private Secretary to Uba Sani, governor of Kaduna State, disclosed this at an interaction with journalists on Thursday in Kaduna.

Bello also said the government   had supported 100 food vendors during the Kaduna Food Festival which held on April 2024 in Kaduna.

According to him, the government has instituted a revolving loan scheme to enable civil servants to meet their financial needs “with seed of N500 million at a single – digit rate of five per cent.

“This initiative aims to promote access funds for civil servants to meet financial obligations.

“More so, the administration has been clearing pension arrears. The state government has to date, paid approximately N4.7 billion for clearance of death and gratuity benefits”, the PPS said.

Speaking further, Bello said: “As servants of the people, the Uba Sani Government places great premium on accountability.

“Transparency and accountability are not principles to be trifled with.

“Last month, the Centre for Fiscal Transparency and Public Integrity Watch (CeFTPIW) ranked Kaduna State as the first subnational in its Transparency and Public Integrity Index.

“The ranking which was done for the entire 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, placed Kaduna State as number 1, with a score of 51. 42, in its 2024 Integrity Index Report…

“In addition, Kaduna state came second out of 36 states in the ICAN Accountability and Transparency Index, reflecting its commitment to transparency, accountability, and effective resource utilization.”

Bello said in the last 18 months, since Sani assumed office, the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) profile of the state has improved.

“Last November, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) released the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) of all in the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and Kaduna State raked in N62.49 billion last year, emerging the state with the highest IGR earnings in the north”, he said.

He said Sani’s policy of financial inclusion and widening the tax net and the reorganisation of the Kaduna State Internal Revenue Service (KADIRS) is responsible for the feat.

The PPS said since Sani came on board, KADIRS has been expanding the tax net in a horizontal manner as against the vertical approach of the past which led to stagnation.

He said: “Above all, the policies of the Uba Sani administration which have a human face, have made businesses and companies that have left Kaduna State in the past, to return.

“Coupled with that, he has initiated a lot of business-friendly policies which are having positive impact on revenue generation.

“In addition, the rural transformation programme of the Kaduna State Government has improved voluntary tax compliance because people can see how their money is being spent.

“Besides, KADIRS is effectively deploying technology in its operations to ensure effective service delivery to taxpayers.

“A major component of the Uba Sani Governance Agenda is nurturing citizens engagement, with a view to carrying the people along in decision making processes, especially on how their resources are allocated.

Consequently, the government has been holding Town Hall Meetings and consultations with critical stakeholders like Traditional Rulers, Religious Leaders, Elders/Influential Citizens, and Leaders of Women and Youth Groups, as well Development Organizations, on major Government policies and programmes, especially the yearly budget proposal.”