The Niger State government in Northcentral Nigeria has declared the repayment of 120 million naira of a previous 500 million debt owed to the National Examination Council (NECO).
Hajiya Binta Mamman, the Commissioner of Information and Strategy, stated this during a media briefing held to commemorate Nigeria’s 63rd Independence anniversary and to spotlight the first 100 days of Governor Umar Bago’s developmental initiatives.
Binta Mamman emphasized that under the astute leadership of Governor Umar Bago, the state government has taken proactive measures to manage this financial responsibility. “The Governor approved a standing order for a monthly payment of N30 million to NECO, facilitating the gradual settlement of the debt.
“The state government has embarked on an ambitious project, converting the Shiroro hotel facility in Minna into the Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University (IBBU) Lapai Teaching Hospital. This strategic initiative aims to address the critical shortage of medical personnel within the state’s healthcare facilities.”
The Commissioner further underscored the state government’s active support for agriculture, highlighting the procurement and distribution of various fertilizer brands to farmers to bolster food production.
She also noted that Commissioner for Livestock and Fishery, Ibrahim Isah, has embarked on a facility visit tour to enhance poultry production and alleviate the scarcity of eggs and other poultry products, driven by the escalating cost of feed and related components.
Hajiya Binta Mamman commended the state government’s tireless efforts to alleviate the acute shortage of medical personnel at the General Hospital in Minna and other state-owned healthcare facilities.
Responding Commissioner for Secondary and Tertiary Health, Dr Bello Tukur said the state government has embarked on recruitment of 50 medical doctors out of the required 100 to address staffing shortages, “Plans are underway to employ approximately 1,000 medical workers to meet the state’s healthcare demands.”
Dr. Tukur emphasized the government’s commitment to training healthcare professionals to tackle diverse health challenges and its readiness to hire additional staff to safeguard the well-being of the state’s citizens.
