Kano State Commissioner of Education, Dr. Ali Haruna Makoda, disclosed that the administration of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf would continue to ensure prompt payment of contractors that supply foodstuff to the 39 boarding schools in the state.
He assured that….” Whenever the schools’ food supply contractors are verified, the government would make sure they receive their payment without any delay.”
Dr. Makoda gave the assurance while addressing Principals of boarding schools and Contractors of foodstuff during an interactive meeting held at the Ministry Conference Hall.
The Commissioner noted that with the coming of the Governor, a lot of achievements had been recorded in terms of the school feeding program.
Dr. Makoda explained that one of the greatest achievements recorded by the administration in that regard was the total upgrade of the quality and quantity of food supplied to boarding schools.
“Based on the report I have, His Excellency has already approved for the review of the food price rate from N787.8 to N1,430.88 which represents an increase of food price given to students by 82% and that improves the entire system of the feeding program.
“Even from what I heard from the Principals and Contractors, it shows that the Governor has brought about a significant transformation in the school feeding program,” he acknowledged.
The Commissioner, therefore, urged the contractors to work diligently to meet the contractual agreement.
He assured that his office will remain committed to ensuring speedy processing of all requests sent by the contractors.
The Special Adviser to the Governor on School Feeding Program, Umar Musa Gama, has attributed the successes recorded to the Governor’s commitment to overhaul the education sector, citing that at two different occasions, Governor Yusuf reviewed the price of foodstuff which he described as commendable.
Earlier, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry Alhaji Bashir Baffa Muhammad said the meeting was organized to critically review the 2023/2024 school feeding program and offer advice on how best to improve the system for the 2024/2025 feeding program.
He revealed that despite the challenges of acute inflation of foodstuff prices, the state government had responded positively to the request of contractors by reviewing the price of foodstuff.
Speaking on behalf of the Contractors, Alhaji Uba Magayaki commended the Governor for setting up a solid foundation to improve the feeding program.
He assured the Commissioner of the contractor’s commitment to supplying the best qualitative food to schools as contained in the contract agreement.
The State Ministry of Education which comprises Seven Agencies, has 39 boarding schools of which 30 are for Boys, and nine for Girls.
Credit: Balarabe Abdullahi Kiru
