The Zamfara Government has earmarked N1.95 billion in the 2024 budget for the reconstruction of 18 traditional rulers’ palaces in the state.
On Monday in Gusau, Alhaji Ahmad Yandi, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, disclosed that the state government intends to allocate funds for the reconstruction of 18 traditional rulers’ palaces.
Yandi, who addressed the special session of the House of Assembly Committee on Finance and Appropriation, emphasized that this initiative is aimed at elevating the status of the traditional rulers.
Meanwhile on Thursday, Governor Dauda Lawal presented a state budget of N423.5 billion to the assembly for approval.
Yandi, while defending his ministry’s budget before the committee, asserted that the project aligns with the government’s policy to enhance the standing of the traditional institution in the state.
“Other projects to be implemented in the budget are expansion of the ministry’s complex, and local government service commission office among others”, he added.
On his part, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry for Works and Infrastructure, Alhaji Shehu Baraya, said over N140 billion was earmarked for roads and other infrastructure projects in the state.
“The projects include ongoing reconstruction of major roads in Gusau metropolis under the state government urban renewal policy.
“Construction of drainages and other infrastructure projects across the 14 LGAs of the state.
“The earmarked funds for the projects to be implemented by the ministry represent 34 percent of the total 2024 appropriation of the state”, Baraya said.
He clarified that the urban renewal initiative aims to establish essential infrastructure, creating an environment conducive to attracting increased investment in the state.
Following the defense of his ministry’s budget, Alhaji Kabiru Moyi, the Commissioner for Housing and Urban Development, spoke to reporters, revealing plans for the construction of an economic city on the outskirts of Gusau, the state capital.
Moyi specified that the budget allocates over N10 billion for the funding of the economic city project.