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Kaduna State’s Future Not Bleak, Yero Warns El-Rufai

November 5, 2014

Kaduna State governor, Mukhtar Ramalan Yero, has dismissed the assertion of APC governorship hopeful Nasir El-Rufai that the future of the state is bleak because of underdevelopment as “outright lies” and a display of a huge disconnect with the people he aspires to govern.

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The remarks are contained in a statement by Yero’s spokesman, Ahmed Abdullahi Maiyaki, who said that the administration of Governor Yero remains very popular in throughout the State and is working tirelessly to improve the overall living conditions of the people.

“Our advice is while on this sojourn as an ‘accidental politician’, El-Rufa’i should respect the sensibilities of the people of Kaduna State, who are much better informed on the true state of affairs in Kaduna State,” he said, adding that the former minister cannot deceive the people, “many of whom he once chased out of Abuja and dissociated with.”

He said that Kaduna, under Yero, has seen improvements in security, and that the people have shown genuine willingness to live peacefully with one another.

“It is an incontrovertible fact that Kaduna State witnessed improved security and peaceful atmosphere since the emergence of Governor Yero in December 2012,” he said.  “There has been reduction in crime rates as well as increased mutual understanding among the diverse ethnic groups in the State. Kaduna 

In the area of education, the spokesman gave the example of the West Africa Examinations Council SSC examinations this year, where he said that Kaduna State came third in overall national standing.

Citing other achievements, Maiyaki said, “The construction/rehabilitation of over 187 schools, recruitment of additional 1800 teachers and training of teachers in core subjects at secondary school level has yielded positive result.  In the Health Sector, Kaduna State has emerged as the first State in the North-West to be free from polio in the last 24 months. This is verifiable if the former minister cared to check.

“It is also on record that the Yero administration has conducted capitalization of 457 health facilities including; 29 secondary health facilities, 352 Primary Health Centres, 5 Faith based secondary health facilities and 18 PHCs faith based facilities. The administration also initiated construction of 36 Primary Health Centres across the State. The projects are presently at various stages of completion.”

Other achievements attributed to Yero in the statement include:

Civil Servants are paid their salaries and allowances as and when due; Kaduna is one of the few States in the country where workers are not owed salaries, allowances and other benefits.  

The Yero administration consistently provides support to farmers in all 255 wards in the State with over 10,000 metric tonnes of fertilizer per annum; assorted fertilizers shared to farmers free.  

Kaduna state Government and the Bank of Industry/Bank of Agriculture have provided N2 billion for disbursement as loans to Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and farmers respectively. Government has also procured and distributed tractors to both small and large scale farmers. 

In the last 23 months, the Yero administration has successfully completed over 50 percent of all projects initiated by past administrations. 

Governor Yero completed rural electrification projects in over 31 communities, and also completed several rural feeder roads. 

The Yero administration has trained over 7,650 youths and women in various vocations, each beneficiary receiving a starter pack and start-up capital at the end of their training with which to establish their own businesses. 

In the 23 months of the Yero administration, Kaduna State has maintained positive rating by the Fitch Rating agency.

Yero is providing the people of Kaduna with stable democratic leadership that adheres strictly to Rule of Law and respect for human dignity. 

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Politics