Kaduna Governor Uba Sani has credited significant infrastructure development in the state to his administration’s cost-cutting initiatives, despite facing financial challenges.
Speaking with journalists at the Presidential Villa in Abuja following a meeting with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Friday, Sani outlined how austerity measures, including a ban on purchasing new vehicles for government officials and reductions in allowances, have allowed the state to prioritize essential services, according to Nigerian Tribune.
Sani reported a marked decrease in the number of out-of-school children, noting approximately 300,000 fewer children without access to education in the past six months.
This progress is part of a larger investment strategy aimed at upgrading educational facilities and improving access to education.
“We initiated serious adjustments to reduce the cost of governance,” Sani stated. He mentioned that his administration has not purchased any vehicles for officials, and he has cut his own salary by half while also reducing allowances for commissioners and advisers. These efforts have enabled a stronger focus on education, healthcare, and critical infrastructure development.
The governor highlighted educational advancements, including the construction of 62 new secondary schools and 2,340 primary school classrooms, alongside a strategic initiative for teacher recruitment. Current estimates indicate that Kaduna has about 768,739 out-of-school children at the basic education level.
In addition to education, Sani noted the reconstruction and equipping of 12 secondary healthcare centers and the ongoing construction of 62 roads, totaling around 700 kilometers, with several projects already completed and commissioned. He also announced the acquisition of 100 CNG buses for public transport and extended an invitation to President Tinubu to visit Kaduna for their commissioning, aligning these initiatives with the federal government’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
During his visit to the State House, Sani updated President Tinubu on the security situation in Kaduna, which he reported has improved significantly in recent months, with no major incidents reported. He attributed this progress to enhanced collaboration among security agencies, the government, and local communities.
Sani’s emphasis on cost management and strategic investments is positioning Kaduna for sustainable growth despite ongoing challenges.
“We initiated serious adjustments to reduce the cost of governance,” Sani stated.
“To date, we have not purchased a single vehicle for any government official. I’ve cut my own salary in half and reduced allowances for commissioners and advisers. This has enabled us to focus on education, healthcare, and critical infrastructure development,” he said.
