Kano state governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf has laid the foundation for the construction of the Dambatta – Diggol road in the Dambatta local government area and Wasai – Baita road in Minjibir local government area, at the combined cost of N2, 161, 406, 383. 50 and a total length of 15.077 kilometers.
Likewise, the governor commissioned the Dambatta Cattle market, one of the five cattle markets reconstructed and upgraded at the total cost of N340 million.
The roads and market projects are among many infrastructural interventions in Kano, funded by the Islamic Development Bank and the Lives and Livelihood Fund, through the Kano State Agro-Pastoral Development Project, KSADP, to develop agro-pastoral systems, ensure food security, reduce poverty and improve livelihoods of the poor.
Inaugurating the road projects, Governor Abba described the move as a major milestone that underscored the commitment of his administration to put in place sustainable infrastructural and agricultural systems that will entail multiple socio-economic benefits for the people of Kano.
“For several years, the people living in communities where these projects cut cross have suffered untold hardship because of the lack of motorable roads. They suffer huge economic loss because they find it difficult to take their farm produce to markets, while they cannot access basic health care and education services, among other things, due to the condition of their roads”, he lamented.
On the upgraded cattle markets, the governor stated that “the initiative aims to modernize our livestock markets, improve the condition of the animals we slaughter, especially reduction in mortality during transportation from one place to another and, generally improve the environment.”
He added that the markets have been provided with loading ramps, watering facilities, office space for market information, security posts, veterinary services infrastructure, public conveniences as well as solar lighting for security and trade at night.
“These infrastructures will not only make livestock trade thrive but will create more employment for people in the localities”, the governor maintained, adding that this “aligns with our vision as contained in the AKY development roadmap.”
Governor Abba expressed profound appreciation to the Islamic Development Bank and the Lives and Livelihoods Fund for supporting the Kano state government in undertaking life-changing interventions for farmers and pastoralists in the state, urging the projects’ beneficiaries to make optimum use of the infrastructure and empowerment packages provided by the government through the KSADP.
Speaking on behalf of the local communities, the District Head of Dambatta, Alhaji Mansur Mukhtar, represented by Alhaji Ali Adnan, thanked the state government for its efforts aimed at bringing development closer to the people.
Credit: Ameen K. Yassar
