BROADCAST BY HIS EXCELLENCY ARC MOHAMMED NAMADI SAMBO, fnia, THE EXECUTIVE GOVERNOR OF KADUNA STATE ON THE OCCASION OF HIS ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY IN OFFICE ON 29^TH MAY 2008.

Fellow compatriots,

          It is exactly one year now since we took the mantle of leadership of this great and historic state of ours through your mandate. Within this period, we have strived hard to ensure that we leave an indelible mark in the annals of the history of the state so that we shall justify the mandate trust and confidence reposed on us by the good people of Kaduna State.

Our journey started with an already existing budget prepared and executed by our predecessor being a continuing administration, our slogan was encapsulated in our campaigns (for continuity and development) therefore, we did not hesitate to continue with the works bequeathed to us. This was principally to conclude such works and save the State the trauma of abandoned projects and prepare grounds for the take-off of our already established Eleven Point Agenda.

In the year ended 2007, we had strived to conclude and prepare our People's Budget for implementation in the current year. This we did and complied with our Constitutional requirement by presenting it to the Kaduna State House of Assembly for their consideration and consent.

With the passage of the Budget in the middle of March 2008, we set up all the machinery in motion for the actualization of our overall objective and lofty dreams for our dear State.

In line with our Eleven Point Agenda and to ensure the security of lives and property of the citizenry and from the reports of the security agencies we received on loss of lives by armed bandits and loss of property through car-snatching, we wasted no time in fortifying our security council by enlarging its membership and co-opting additionally the Nigerian Security & Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), the Nigerian Prison Service and lately the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) all aimed at having first hand the problem areas with a view to finding lasting solutions to them. With these reports and our concern for the citizenry, we were propelled to conceptualize and come up with a foolproof security outfit which we codenamed Operation Yaki. This, however, was not without its toll on the treasury position. 75 new patrol vans, 6 cars, 5 ambulances and 1 helicopter were secured for the operation while 2000 security personnel and 1500 neighborhood watch were engaged for the 1^st Phase of the operation. For the 2^nd phase, Orders were placed for 1000 bulletproof vests, 30 additional patrol vehicles, satellite G.P.S. communication security system, and 250 motorcycles for surveillance. The total sum of N2 billion was set aside for security in the 2008 Appropriation Act, which we are using judiciously.

 With the tasks of appropriation surmounted as 27% of the People's Budget was set aside for education, a think-thank committee of 33 eminent educationists was constituted that toured the entire State and assessed all the educational institutions' prospects and problem areas. Thereafter, they submitted far-reaching recommendations which were used to draw up the educational roadmap for the State. The drawing of the roadmap culminated into the appointment of consultants in the Education sector whose services the State currently enjoys. Still on the education sector, renovation works were carried out in schools under the Ministry. Several physical developments were also carried out at the Kaduna State University.

Others include building construction for the NYSC camp Kaduna, boarding and re-boarding of schools, improvement of College of Education Gidan Waya and provision of water to schools. Similar works consisting of expansion and rehabilitation of existing schools, construction of new classrooms, rehabilitation of existing structure in 30 secondary schools, development of Birnin Gwari and Saminaka libraries, construction of block of two classrooms and VIP toilets in various schools, purchase and delivery of school furniture, as well as project monitoring vehicles were executed at a total contract some of  N1,891,789,498.00.

Our commitment with regard to primary education still remains unwavering. To demonstrate our sincerity and our determination to provide free and compulsory primary education, three schools from each local government were selected as models to test run the system and observe the obvious lapses and weaknesses, which shall assist in the overall delivery of the whole policy across the State in phases. Furthermore, free textbooks for Mathematics, English Primary Science and Social Studies are also being distributed to all primary schools

Our tests have shown positive results with a few observations we hope to address as we set to commence the full implementation of the programme.

An additional amount of over N1 billion is being expended by the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) while US$500,000.00 was expended by the State Education Sector Project a World Bank/DFID sponsored project and US$5m expended by Japanese Government in providing classrooms, toilets and other infrastructure all aimed at the improvement and delivery of Primary education.

Agriculture still remains the mainstay of our economy and the largest employer of labour. With this in our minds, we have placed agriculture in the front burner of our programmes. We are creating an environment where all year farming will take place. Designs for the provision of 60 irrigation schemes have been completed. Accordingly, contracts for the construction of 8 irrigation schemes have been awarded and the works are at various stages of completion. This is aimed at creating a new and rich environment. We are also improving our Extension Services to the farmers and establishing new units in the Ministry of Agriculture with the assistance of the Egyptian experts so as to apply agricultural research techniques that will assist farmers to improve their production.

For this farming season, we have received 70,000 metric tones of assorted fertilizer and are being sold to farmers at about 60% subsidy. Pursuant to effective supply of farming implements and fertilizer, we are still processing the establishment of a fertilizer blending plant that will enable farmers plan and produce their fertilizer according to their needs. To address the global food problems and ensure food security, grain Silo Projects in Birnin Gwari, Kafanchan and Lere are currently under construction and works have reached an advanced stage.

The three silos have a combined capacity of 30,000 metric tones while the existing one in Zaria has a capacity of 10,000 metric tones. With these, the State will have storage facilities for 40,000 metric tones of grains. To encourage more farmers to produce more and to find a ready market for the agricultural goods produced by these farmers; Government has decided to set up the Kaduna State Commodity Marketing Board. This will assure farmers that their production will easily and readily be absorbed by a ready market and will encourage large production.

We have also re-introduced the Tractor Hiring Scheme to enable farmers have access to tractors at affordable costs to augment their lean finances. We shall be launching the Agricultural Loan Scheme which we plan to disburse through farmers cooperatives. To encourage Cotton production, we are benefiting from the Federal Government financial support through NEXIM Bank and are securing, for our cotton farmers, the sum of N2billion this farming season which we believe shall contribute toward the revival of cotton production amongst our farmers.

Our focus on reducing poverty has led us to venture into interest free loans which we have in the first instance disbursed through micro-credit finance institutions. In this direction, the total sum of N700m has been appropriated for the purpose of micro-credit financing. The second phase which is on-going will involve taking inventory of our unemployed youths and women at home who dearly need financial assistance for either developing or enhancing their businesses. This is aimed at poverty reduction and providing avenues for gainful employment by our unemployed yet employable population. Already over 500 unemployed graduates have been employed as data survey collectors to commence the exercise of data collection.

Other poverty reduction techniques we have applied include the distribution of poverty alleviation machinery such as water (irrigation) pumps, knitting and sewing machines to beneficiaries in the 23 Local Government Areas of the State. A total of 2000 water pumps, 300 knitting and 327 sewing machines were distributed to the beneficiaries for their empowerment; Taxi Transport Scheme to Okada riders through the issuance of licenses after successful training and the granting of cars on subsidized and Interest-free loans were embarked upon. A vehicle leasing company has also been registered with the good intention to give opportunity in boosting taxi and bus transportation business in the State. Chalk and paint making was propelled a step further towards the formation of cottage industries where a total of 147 young men and women successfully graduated as producers of chalk and paint. Youths and Women programmes executed as capital projects include construction work, rehabilitation and renovation of Women Multi-Purpose Centre, reformatory schools, children's homes and remand homes, social welfare office and other wall-fencing were extended by the Ministry for Women Affairs. All categories of staff of the Ministry also enjoyed the micro-credit loans scheme involving vehicles and housing loans.

In the area of infrastructure, we are determined to complete the road contracts we inherited worth N13.6 billion, so far a total sum of N6 Billion has been expended as certified works in the ongoing projects and we are happy to say that the contractors are still on site and working round the clock to complete the roads as scheduled. On our part, we have awarded contracts for some roads for which works are currently ongoing. However, the Gwarsa-Dande-Kasaya road and the Soba-Bele-Sharifai road are ready for commissioning while that of Jaban Kogo-G/Jibir-Daddu, Saminaka-R/Duhu-Bauchi border, Hayin Gada- Dande-Kasaya, Kudan-Damaski Maraban Kakiri, Mamman Yarwa, M/Dawaki-Dawaki Kungi, Mariri-Geshere and the Makarfi City layout Major Road are nearing completion.

All these is intended to ensure proper connectivity. We have started the Railway Transport system under a Public Public Partnership (P.P.P.) with the Nigerian Railway and have disbursed the sum of N65 million for the repair of coaches and the initial take-off grant all in our efforts for the provision of both adequate and cheap transportation system to our people.

In our development strides towards the construction of the new town, we have developed a master plan which has been completed. We have also employed consultants that are currently working on the detailed designs for the provision of the necessary infrastructure that include roads, water, electricity supply and sewage treatment systems.

We have established an agency for power generation and have appointed consultants who are now preparing a feasibility study for establishing small hydro power plants as a long term solution, while arrangements have reached an advance stage for the provision of fuel oil power generating plants as an emergency solution pending the completion of the hydro-power plants. The total power expectation for the small hydro-plants is cumulative of about 150mw while the emergency fuel oil power plant shall be is between 50 to 100 mw to be developed in phases. Fuel is expected to be supplied from the Kaduna Refining & Petrochemical Company KRPC.

Similarly, industrial parks are planned to be established through a Public Private Partnership (PPP) effort between the State Government, Oceanic bank and Bank of Industry. This is with a view to the development of medium and large scale industries for industrial growth.

We have at inception, met with our failed Textile Industries and we were determined to revive them. We have pursued with vigour, the resuscitation of these textile industries and we are glad to say that our efforts are not in vain as we have received the support and cooperation of Mr. President in our quest to actualize this noble objective, we are at the verge of meeting these laudable obligations through concerted efforts for the provision of necessary fuel oil for which we are only awaiting the allocation to each industry from the NNPC while the NEXIM Bank is processing various financial applications from the textiles industries as working capital and resuscitation. Other commercial initiatives we generated are the Micro, Small and Medium  Enterprises (MSME), Business Support Center and Business Information Center, Entrepreneurship Development Programme, Training the Trainers Programme and Sugar Crushing Machine Initiative.

We shall soon award contract for provision of water treatment plant for Zaria. This is with a view to addressing once and for all the perennial water shortage in Zaria and its environs, since work at the Galma Dam is still proceeding by the Federal Government at the cost of about N8 billion. Designs for the additional water storage facilities and distribution networks have also been completed with an estimated cost of about N7 billion which both the World Bank and the Islamic Development Bank have indicated interest in financing.   On the Kaduna Water Expansion Scheme, preliminary designs and cost estimation have been completed indicating a preliminary project cost of about $300 million. Arrangements have been completed for the appointment of consultants to produce detailed designs and tender documents for the sourcing of finance from the World Bank. We are also making arrangements for the appointment of consultants to prepare designs for the construction of a new Water Treatment plant for Kachia Town.  We are embarking on the rehabilitation of thousands of existing boreholes that were drilled and are existing but not functional now all over the State. These include all boreholes constructed by the Federal, State and Local Governments. The first phase of this programme has already been awarded at the cost of N200 million.

We have also identified three markets for re-development namely, Sabongari, Kafanchan and Tudun Wada Zaria while the designs of the Kaduna shopping complex has since been completed awaiting construction. This is with a view to developing modern markets for smooth commercial transactions.

In the area of scientific research and development, we have placed emphasis on Technological, Energy, Science Education and Planning, Research and Developments. This we did through the establishment of 3 news Business Apprenticeship Centres (BATCs) and the granting of approval for the construction of 4 additional ones. We have also augmented the feeding allowances of the students and have increased their monthly allowances from N80.00 to N1,000.00. Solar energy has also received our attention and we are channeling our energies on the development of that sector. to demonstrate our resolve in this direction, we have since flagged off the Solar Traffic and Street lights that will further complement our existing street lights so as to illuminate our towns and cities, serve as security assurance and provide the aesthetics for beautifying the town. We have equally applied solar powered boreholes in our quest to provide additional services of water supply all over the State. Under the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) programme, we are providing electricity power supply to 12 villages from a series of solar power supply schemes.

Planning and Research has also received a boost by our equipping the Science and Technology library with computers and essential books/journals while the design of an electronic library has been completed. We have also produced step-by-step questions and answers, textbooks in English Language, Mathematics, Chemistry, Biology and Physics while approval for the establishment of 4 news Science Secondary schools at Manchok, Kereye, Rigachikun and New Kaduna City has been granted.

To ensure that our Science and Technical schools are effectively managed, we have increased the number of teaching staff by 25% through recruitments. we have also taken over the technical school constructed by ABET Community in Zangon Kataf Local Government and have supplemented the feeding allowances of boarding students by 50% of what parents pay per term

As part of the efforts of the State to Improve Healthcare delivery, free medical services for children below the age of five years and pregnant women and Children Under Five was introduced and pursued vigorously. The faculty of Medicine at the Kaduna State University (KASU) is being established with the view to produce our own doctors.  The contract for the construction of the 200-bed Specialist and Teaching hospital at the Eastern Sector will soon commence where specialist medical facilities will be provided to the extent of arresting intending patients from traveling out of the State or the country seeking for good medical services. It will also provide the teaching infrastructure for first production of our doctors.  The University will also partner with foreign universities in Germany for cooperative efforts, while the state is sourcing for another avenue in Egypt.

In our determination to arrest malaria as it constitutes about 50% of cases reported in our hospitals, we have declared war on malaria and shall soon commence the fight with the attack on all malaria infested sites so as to eradicate mosquitoes that are responsible for its spread. Other health related programmes shall be implemented including additionally the construction of Primary Healthcare Centers across the State.

We are concerned with our immediate environment and have taken the pains to beautify it. We have since launched the "Operation Keep Kaduna Clean" and we are observing cleanliness. We shall soon commence the process of landscaping the town to add to its existing aesthetics.

In our drive to provide affordable housing for all particularly the low income earners and the Civil Servants, we have designed various categories of houses to be given to our Civil Servants. Accordingly, 1500 houses will soon be constructed to meet such obligations. Our giant strides in improving the welfare package for all workers and pensioners are far reaching. Since our assumption of office to date we have released the sum of N759,623,864.05 for the payment of monthly pension to our pensioners and the sum of N425,900,588.71 for payment of gratuities to deserving retired workers. These sums up to N1.18B and is intended to appreciate the good services they have rendered to the good people of the State and the Country in general

In order to reverse the problem of being associated with the Pay-As-You-Go Government funded Pension Scheme, the present Administration has approved its replacement with the new Contributory Pension Scheme which came into effect on 1 ^st March, 2008. This is an innovation aimed at ensuring that a retiree receives his/her benefits without the hardships associated with the Pa-As-You-Go pension.

The Civil Service of the State has been rejuvenated. In fulfillment of Government's pronouncement towards achieving e-Governance, ICT training has been scheduled in phases and Honourable Commissioners, Permanent Secretaries as well as Chief Executive Officers of parastatals were trained in ICT by a reputable firm. The scheme was put in place to promote the optimal use of ICT in ensuring efficient, transparent and accessible Government. This was preceded by the distribution of two hundred (200) laptops to honourable commissioners, special advisers, permanent secretaries and chief executive of parastatals. Similarly, the training of 8000 Civil Servants of various categories as a first phase to ensure that the e-Governance initiative covers the whole service was also approved. Accordingly, the sum of N120 million has been released for the training of that number of civil servants.

On our assumption of office, we immediately directed the speedy implementation of the 15% upward review of salary with a revised new salaries and allowances schedule of increment in rent allowances by 20% for junior officers and 15% for senior officers.

While transport allowance was increased by 15% to officers of junior cadre and 12.5% for officers of the senior cadre. Other incentives include 50% increase in meal subsidy and utility allowance for all categories of workers.

To effectively motivate and ensure industrial harmony amongst our staff at the Local Government level and in order to maintain fair and equitable treatment with their counterpart at the State level, we also approved 15% increase in basic salaries and restructuring of allowances for employees of the Local Government and those of the Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) while Rent allowances for officers of junior cadre were increased by 15% and the senior cadre by 10%. The Transportation allowance was done across board for the two categories of staff at 10% while Meal Subsidy and Utility allowances were at 50%

Classroom teachers were also motivated to put in their best. In order to woo more teachers back to the classroom an additional increase of 5% in addition to the earlier 15% sum was approved for them.

Similarly, In order to maintain standards and sustain existing manpower in our tertiary institutions, approval of 100% HATISS salary for all categories of staff in respect of the Shehu Idris School of Health Sciences and Technology, Makarfi, the College of Education, Gidan Waya was granted. This gesture was aimed at boosting the morale of the lecturers and staff for effective and efficient service delivery.

To attract and retain specialized manpower, this Administration consciously approved the upward review of allowances to Medical Doctors in the State placing them at par with their Federal counterparts.

And In fulfillment of the promise to continue with the existing micro-credit loan scheme for Civil Servants in the State, the sum of N400 million has been provided for in the year 2008 Budget to be disbursed to Civil Servants for various loans under this scheme such as housing, motor vehicle, etc. arrangements have been completed to effect the disbursement of the loans in the month of June, 2008.

To reposition the Civil Service for effective service delivery, this administration has approved for the recruitment of 856 staff of various categories to fill some identified areas of essential need. Also, government has approved the recruitment of graduate engineers/professionals to fill-in critical areas of need in the Ministries of Works and Transport, Agriculture, Environment and Natural Resources, Health, Finance, and Economic Planning. It is on record that there have been no retrenchments, termination or dismissal without due regards to the Public Service Rules (PSR) since the inception of this Administration.

We have sustained the relative good industrial relationship with Labour as partners in progress. To this end, Government has released the sum of N26 million for the purchase of 20 nos 10 seater buses to revitalize the labour flight as a means of easing the transportation problems of the Civil Servants and members of the public.

To build a virile civil service, we have decided to re-introduce written promotion examination for Civil Servants with effect from 2008 in addition to oral interview hitherto being carried out.

We are about to commission the Kafanchan township stadium and are upgrading and constructing more sporting facilities preparatory to our hosting the National Sports Festival. We recently unveiled the Logo and Mascot for the event and we are equipped and ready to host Nigeria.

We hope to showcase our rich cultural heritage and promote tourism to its fullest. In that direction, we have embarked upon projects like the Kangimi Holiday Resort and the Kagoro Hills Holiday Resort, our archeological heritage "the Nok Culture" will be upgraded to an international standard to allow for tourists to come over and see first hand, our rich culture on display

In conclusion, we appreciate the roles played by relevant governmental agencies towards the success of our programme in the State. In particular the role of the Kaduna State House of Assembly, members of the National Assembly and the Organized Labour and the Private sector in the State is appreciated for their continuous cooperation. The Political Class, traditional rulers, religious leaders and the civil society are also appreciated for their support towards the success of the Government. The Security Agencies, the Judiciary and the Media must be appreciated in ensuring the dissemination and success of our programmes. May I use this opportunity to call on the good people of the State to continuously extend such support to enable us deliver fully on our outlined and executed programmes. Insha Allah we shall continue to keep our promises

Thank you and God bless

Governor Arch Mohammed Namadi Sambo is a true democrat, whose approach to problems is always humane and conciliatory he is a man of peace who patiently looked to the future with courage and hope. His commitment in the direction of transforming the state into a relatively better integrated and functional polity is continuing  with a mission  to create a stable  and cohesive polity capable of securing effectively the interests of the various communities and giving them the opportunity to develop and live in peace  with one another.