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THE NATION MONDAY, APRIL 15, 2013
93RD KANO STATE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL MEETING
oday Wednesday 10 th April, 2013 (29 th Jumada Awwal, 1434AH) the Kano State Executive Council held its ninety third (93 rd ) Sitting under the Chairmanship of Governor Engr. Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso, FNSE. Sixty nine (69) memoranda were submitted by fourteen (14) MDAs for deliberation by Council among which fifty (50) were approved for execution with forty four (44) of them having financial implications to the tune of One Billion, One Hundred and Fifty Five Million, Five Hundred and Thirty Three Thousand, Nine Hundred and Seventy Two Naira, Forty Four Kobo (N1,155,533,972.44) while the remaining nineteen (19) were on policy issues. Thus: 1. OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY TO THE STATE GOVERNMENT The Office of the Secretary to the State Government submitted thirty four (34) memoranda on behalf of some MDAs for deliberation by Council. Twenty two (22) of them were approved for execution as follows: a. Registration of Qur’anic/Tsangaya Schools in the State It is the belief of this administration that the successful conduct of the census of Qur’anic/Islamiyya Schools is indispensable for effective implementation of any program aimed at streamlining the system for the benefits of the society. The State Government is convinced that knowing an accurate and up-to-date number of such schools/students is essential for any meaningful governance and successful implementation of programs that will in the near future solve the menace associated with ‘almajiranci’. It is with this belief and concern this administration accepted the challenge of conducting a census. This administration believes that the only way to bring development in any sector, such as on the traditional/religious education system is through knowing how many are engaged in the system. In fact, past experience has shown the failure of the immediate administrations in transforming the traditional/religious educational system to the lack of adequate statistical data. The effort of knowing their number is the only source of data that can help provide the basis for a solution to the problems so much linked with the system. Through this the Government will be able to identify the needs and priorities of the pupils, teachers and parents and provide a rational basis for beneficial policy. The physical needs, aspirations and living conditions of the students/pupils can be understood and assessed. There are compelling reasons why this system and its participants must be integrated into the modern development process. This is because of the numerical strength of the participants and their untapped youthful energy for a nation that requires every support from its citizens to progress. This explains the basis for this information memorandum submitted by the Senior Special Assistant on Qur’anic/Islamiyya Schools. In the report he informed Council that there is a total of 8829 Qur’anic/Tsangaya Schools with 795,009 students/pupils scattered in the 261 wards of the following census Local Government Areas: *Albasu, Bichi, Danbatta, D/Tofa, G/Mallam, Gaya, Gezawa, Gwale, Gwarzo, Municipal, Karaye, Kibiya, Kura, Madobi, Takai, Tofa, Tsanyawa, Wudil, R/Gado, Gabasawa, Kunchi, Makoda, Tarauni, and Dala. The report indicated that out of the total number of 795,009 students/pupils from the 24 Local Government Areas, there are 436,160 Kano State Indigenous youths, 88,563 non indigenous and 4,138 foreigners. Council appreciated this report and urged the remaining Local Governments to submit their findings. b. Presentation of Brief on the Reform of Public Transportation for Effective Revenue Generation, Control and Compliance with Traffic Rules and Regulations in the Metropolis:The State Ministry of Works, Housing and Transport alerted Council, through the contents of this memorandum that the Commercial Transport Sector in Kano Metropolis needs urgent transformation in view of the current chaotic situation. The chaos is caused by the dominance of unorganized private sector participants and absence of minimum entry regulations. The government initiated Kano Road Transport Agency (KAROTA) in order to urgently salvage the situation through ensuring improved compliance with traffic rules and regulations, decongesting of roads, enforcement of the use of Government approved motor parks and improvement in revenue generation while at the same time carving a new image for the State. The effort is capital intensive and calls for deliberate effort by Government to maximize and expand revenue collection so as to maintain the infrastructure as provided in the Government approved motor parks. Council was further alerted that, to successfully transform transportation in Kano metropolis there is a need to introduce and enforce the use of centralized “Passenger Manifest” in all public motor parks. This proposal is a consensus among Transport Unions, the Nigerian Police, KAROTA, etc. In any case, KAROTA and the Nigerian Police will provide check points which will be responsible for the enforcement of the use of this manifest through the provision of checkpoints at gateways from/into Kano. This is envisaged to provide the following: • Safety and Security of Passengers • The total closure of illegal motor parks as all commercial vehicles will be checked at gateways to display their manifest. • Improve Government revenue generation To produce such manifests, the Ministry of Works, Housing and Transport requested for the release of the sum of N25,000,000.00 to enable KAROTA commence with the implementation of the program. Council noted, considered and approved the release of the sum of N5,000,000.00 only to the Ministry of Works, Housing and Transport to enable KAROTA initiate and implement the stated program in view of its relevance to the policy of the present administration. c. Request for Permission/Consent for the Hon. Commissioner Ministry of Water Resources to serve as a member of the Steering Committee on the World Bank Funded Irrigation and Improved Projects:Contents of this memorandum, submitted by the Office of the Secretary to the State Government, informed Council of the inauguration of a Steering Committee on the World Bank funded Irrigation and Improved Projects by the Honorable Minister for Water Resources. The Committee is composed of the following: • Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Water Resources- Chairman • Representative from Federal Ministry of Power- Member • Representative from Federal Ministry of Agriculture-Member • Representative from Federal Ministry of Environment-Member • Representative from Federal Ministry of Finance-Member • Hon. Commissioners of the affected States. Essentially, Council was further informed of the fact that, Gari and Kano River Irrigation projects are amongst the projects earmarked for rehabilitation by the initiated Assisted Programs of the World Bank with a pledge of assistance of the sum of 400 million US Dollars (N64,000,000,000.00) for the development of water and irrigation sectors in the country. As such, the Office of the Secretary to the State Government requested permission for the Hon. Commissioner for Water Resources to serve on the Steering Committee as a member. Council granted the request as Kano State is a prominent stakeholder when it comes to irrigation agriculture in the country. d. Presentation on the likelihood of some of the 501 Students Sponsored for Postgraduate Studies Abroad to Switch to PhD Programs:In fact, a large part of the services to be rendered by any administration must focus on the development of human resources through the provision of qualitative education. This administration is investing in human capital through the sponsorship of indigenous qualified youths to pursue education and other career courses within and outside the nation. Such investment is expected to increase and expand the capacity of the State human capital. The impact may not be immediate but will be seen in the near future. The State has sponsored 501 students to study for second degrees overseas in different academic and professional fields. This is in addition to the 100 youths selected to study medicine and another 100 to study pilot and aircraft engineering in Jordan. This brings us to the contents of this memorandum submitted by the State Scholarship Board. The gist of the communication was that out of the 501 students sponsored for second degrees some of them are being considered for PhD programs by their institutions due to their excellent performance. So, the Office of the Secretary to the State Government requested Council to grant mandate to the State Scholarship Board to consider such cases as they emerge based on their merit though without additional cost. Council noted, considered and granted approval on mandating the State Scholarship Board as suggested by the Office of the Secretary to the State Government. This is certainly an added advantage. e. Request for funds to settle 2nd and 3rd Quarter Feeding Allowance in Respect of the First Batch of Sixty Five (65) Kano State Indigenous Students Sponsored for Studies at Crescent University, Abeokuta, Ogun State:The present administration under the capable leadership of Governor Engr. Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso, FNSE delivers on its commitments from inception to date. Sponsorship was granted to a multitude number of students for studies locally and abroad. Such students have to be adequately fed and provided for. So, the State Scholarship Board requested for the release of the sum of N3, 900,000.00 by Council through the contents of this memorandum. The money is to be disbursed to the first batch of sixty five (65) students sponsored for studies at Crescent University, Abeokuta, Ogun State, in settlement of their 2nd and 3rd quarter feeding allowance. Approval was granted by Council as requested for the release of the sum of N3,900,000.00 to the State Scholarship Board for disbursement to the sixty five (65) students sponsored for studies at Crescent University, Abeokuta, Ogun State in settlement of their 2nd and 3rd quarter feeding allowance. f. Presentation of Complaint/Petition on Some Alleged Irregularities in Employment Status of Some Kano Line Staff:The Head of Civil Service reminded Council, through the contents of this memorandum submitted for Council’s consideration, that some individuals under the banner of “Concerned Kano Line Staff” had submitted a Complaint/Petition highlighting any alleged irregularities in employment status of some Kano Line Staff. A small Committee was formed, as instructed by Council, to look into the issue. The findings of the Committee were presented in summary for Council’s consideration. i. Eight (8) of the Staff at Kano Line are indeed pensioners as correctly alleged in the petition but were re-absorbed by the Agency based on their expertise and the peculiarities of the Agency. ii. Six (6) Staff are Degree, Diploma and NCE holders who were employed and placed on lower grade levels not commensurate with their educational qualifications (i.e. GL 03-05). This allegation was also true but investigation confirmed that their appointment was based on available vacancies at the disposal of the Agency at that point in time and the Officers were given the opportunity to accept or reject the offers. As such, the authorities cannot be blamed for this. iii. It was established that six (6) of the eight (8) Officers reported to have been placed on the appropriate grade level based on alleged good rapport with the management were found to be suitable for employment under their current grade levels. However, it was determined that the appointments of the remaining two (2) Officers was in breach of the relevant provisions of the scheme of Service. iv. It was determined that the four (4) staffs portrayed to be non-indigenous to Kano State are actually Kano State Indigene. As such, the Office of the Head of Civil Service, submitted the request listed below for Council’s consideration and approval. • Council should grant concessions to Kano Line to engage Pensioners as Contract/Casual Staff based on the Agency’s peculiarities as a profit making organization that requires the services of qualified/reliable Staff at all times. • Maintenance of the Status quo should be approved by Council on those Degree, Diploma and NCE holders recruited on lower grade levels as the decision of the authorities at Kano Line to engage them under terms was dictated by the vacancies available at that point in time. Council noted, considered and approved the two (2) prayers but also encouraged the Agency to engage fresh applicants than to continue with the employment of retirees who earn monthly pension. g. Request for Funds to Enable Purchase of Heavy Duty Hydraulic Jack:The cardinal aim of establishing the Kano Road Traffic Agency (KAROTA) is to facilitate easy movement on our roads by enforcing traffic rules and regulations and decongesting of roads of unnecessary blockages. Overloaded trucks that break down in the middle of the roads are among the causes of such unwanted blockages. KAROTA usually tow away such vehicles. Heavy Duty Hydraulic Jacks are required for this purpose. KAROTA has the appropriate number of required heavy duty operational vehicles for the purpose but lacks the heavy duty hydraulic jacks for the operation. So, the Ministry of Works, Housing and Transport requested for the release of the aggregate sum of N3,600,000.00 to enable the procurement of three (3) heavy duty hydraulic jacks for use by KAROTA to tow away broken down vehicles from the roads. The credibility of the request prompted Council to approve the release of the requested sum of N3,600,000.00 to the Ministry of Works, Housing and Transport for the procurement of three (3) heavy duty hydraulic jacks for the use of KAROTA in the execution of their duties. h. Request for Funds to Enable Payment of Rent Supplement for the Year 2013 to Judges/Khadis:Office of the Head of Civil Service requested for the release of the sum of N116,044,780.00 through contents of the memorandum submitted to Council. This is to enable payment of Rent Supplement en-bloc for the year 2013 to the State Chief Judge, Grand Khadi, twenty one (21) Hon. Judges and nine (9) Hon. Khadis of the State Judiciary. Considering the Statutory Credibility of the request, Council approved the release of the sum of N116,044,780.00 to the Ministry of Justice for disbursement to the respective beneficiaries. i. Request for Funds to Enable Eight (8) Hon. Judges Attend a Five (5) Day Refresher Course:The State High Court of Justice requested for the release of funds by Council through the Office of the Head of Civil Service. This is in order to enable eight (8) Hon. Judges attend a Refresher Course organized by the National Judicial Institute slated for 8th – 12th April, 2013 at Abuja. The request was for the release of the sum of N1,184,000.00 to be disbursed equally to the beneficiary Judges as DTA respectively. Council noted, considered and approved the release of the requested sum of N1,184,000.00 to the Ministry of Justice to enable eight (8) Judges of the State High Court attend the stated Refresher Course in order to improve and update their knowledge and capacity in the dispensation of Justice. j. Request for Funds to Enable Purchase of Midwifery Kits-Tag Named Kwankwasiyya Midwifery Kit:The Ministry of Health alerted Council, through the contents of this memorandum of receipt of a Letter from The Pestagon Nigeria Limited. The Communication was presented to Council by the Office of the Secretary to the State Government. Pestagon Nigeria Limited proposed for sell a prototype Midwifery kit consisting of all necessary tools required for Child Birth/delivery especially in remote areas of the State where such facilities are scarce. The kit was forwarded along with a comprehensive list of its contents at the unit cost of N77,070.00 for Council’s consideration. This communication recommended and requested for approval by Council for each of the 44 LGCAs across the State to contribute and purchase 500 units of the Midwifery kit at the total cost of N77,070.00 x 500 = N38,535,000.00. Each LGCA will therefore contribute the = N875,795.46 to secure at least eleven (11) of the kits. Considering the policy of the present
administration for qualitative Health Care Delivery Services to reach all nooks and corners of the State as climaxed by the Kwankwasiyya Medical Outreach program, Council approved and permitted all of the 44 LGCAs in the State to contribute the sum of N875,795.46 each to enable the purchase of 500 units of the Kwankwasiyya prototype Midwifery kit. k. The Take-Off of Kano Roads Maintenance Agency (KARMA):The contents of this memorandum submitted for Council’s consideration by the Ministry of Works, Housing and Transport, maintains that KARMA has been established complete with appointment of relevant Senior Officers to manage its affairs as a formidable Agency that handles required maintenance of roads across the State. In this regard, the Ministry of Works, Housing and Transport requested from Council the granting of approval for the allocation of operational and official vehicles to the newly appointed senior officers of the Agency and the allocation of the KNUPDA yard at Kofar Dan’ Agundi as KARMA’s permanent Office. Council approved the request for the allocation of the KNUPDA yard to be the permanent site of KARMA and the release of the sum of N24,072,110.91 for its renovation. Council also noted, considered the requests as plausible and approved the procurement and allocation of one (1) Toyota Corolla Saloon and three (3) Toyota Hilux Double Cabin Pick Up Vehicles by the Office of the Secretary to the State Government for use at KARMA. l. Request for Funds to Enable Beautification of Zaria Road Flyover Interchange:Beautification of Urban Kano is among the cardinal resolutions of the present administration. Many projects in this regard are in progress while multitude numbers of others have been completed especially the laying of garden interlock tiles along pedestrian walkways on our major roads and installation/repairs/maintenance of street and traffic lights. The Office of the Senior Special Assistant on Urban Beautification and Development Control requested for the beautification of the Flyover Interchange at Zaria Road for which the Ministry of Works, Housing and Transport requested for the release of the scaled down sum of N36,434,868.75 to facilitate the execution of the proposal. Council granted the request. p. Request for Funds to Facilitate the Provision of Required Office Furniture at the Newly Constructed Office Block of the Pension Fund Trustees (KSPTF):Office of the Secretary to the State Government submitted this memorandum for deliberation by Council on behalf of the Kano State Pension Fund Trustees. The contents of this memorandum reminded Council of its recent approval granted for the construction of a new Office Block to replace the previous one destroyed during the rampage that occurred as an aftermath of the 2011 Presidential Elections. The new Office is now completed and set for utilization once appropriately furnished for which Council was requested to approve the release of the sum of N24, 503,555.60 to facilitate. Approval was granted by Council as requested for the release of the sum of N24,503,555.60 to the Kano State Pension Fund Trustees (KSPFT) to furnish its newly constructed Office Block for immediate occupation/utilization. q. Presentation of Report from the Committee on the Registration of Local Estate Agents (Dillalan Gidaje da Filaye) and Request for Funds to Enable the Registration Exercise:The contents of this memorandum presented highlights of the report submitted by the Committee on Registration of Local Estate Agents (Dillalan Filaye da Gidaje). The main highlights of the report were on the findings and recommendations of the Committee to Government for consideration as presented by the Office of Secretary to the State Government. Essentially, seven (7) findings were highlighted based on which seven (7) recommendations were proffered to Government by the Committee. The recommendations, which were approved by the Council include: i. The Committee plans to sensitize the Local Estate Agents on all Government Land policies by conducting Seminars the Executive Rabi’u MusatoKwankawaso members of their Associations and airing jingles over the media (Radio, Television, etc.). ii. That the Committee will collaborate with the Executive members of the Local Agents (i.e. Kano Property Agency Development Association or KPADA) to assist the Local Estate Agents obtain registration with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) or Ministry of Commerce, Industry, Cooperatives and Tourism. iii. That the Committee plans to conduct Bio-Data collection of all the Local Estate Agents for easy identification. iv. Proper identification cards will be issued to every registered Local Estate Agent at the cost of N1,000.00. v. KANGIS is proposed to be the custodian of all relevant data/information collection for the Local Estate Agents. vi. That the Committee should be elevated to the status of a Standing Committee. vii. That Government should approve the release of the sum of N16,492,000.00 to enable facilitation of the registration exercise. r. Request for Funds to Enable the Installation of 100KVA Electricity Generators at Kura and Dawakin Kudu General Hospitals:The Hon. Commissioner for Health submitted a request for the release of the sum of N8,610,151.00 by Council, through the Office of the Secretary to the State Government, to enable the purchase and installation/maintenance (1year guarantee period) of two (2) 100KVA electricity generating sets at Kura and Dawakin Kudu General Hospitals. This is in order to address the incessant electric power outages at the respective hospitals. Cognizant of the existing realities regarding electricity supply in the State and the Country in general, Council approved the release of the requested sum of N8,610,151.46 to the Ministry of Health to enable the procurement and installation of two (2) 100KVA electricity generators for the General Hospital Kura and Dawakin Kudu. s. Presentation of Letter of Appreciation From the Nigerian Prison Service:The Controller of Prisons, Kano State submitted an appreciation letter to Governor Engr. Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso, FNSE through the Office of the Secretary to the State Government. The contents of the letter expressed profound gratitude over the granting of approval for the purchase and allocation of two (2) brand new 18-Seater Toyota Hiace Buses to the Prisons Service Kano State for use in conveying prisoners to and from the Courts. t. Request for Funds to Facilitate the Payment of Transportation Allowance to Students on Exchange Program:The Ministry of Education submitted a request for the release of the sum of N3,733,600.00 by the Council, through the Office of the Secretary to the State Government to enable the payment of transportation allowance to Students from other States studying at Kachako, Karaye Unity Schools and the School for Arabic Studies (SAS). The money will be utilized as follows; i. 957 Students from other States will be paid transportation allowances back to their respective States for the 2nd term break/holiday. ii. 629 Kano State Indigenous Students studying in other States will be paid transportation allowances to resume studying for the 3rd term in other States. iii. 20 Teachers to escort the 957 Students back to their home States will be paid transportation allowances. Considering the relevance of the request, Council approved the release of the requested sum of N3,733,600.00 to the Ministry of Education to facilitate payment of the stated transportation allowances. 2. MINISTRY OF LAND AND PHYSICAL PLANNING The Ministry of Land and Physical Planning submitted five (5) memoranda for deliberation by Council. Three (3) of them were approved for execution as follows: a. Request for Funds to Enable Payment of Compensation for Acquired/Required Land (Site) for the Purpose of Construction/ Building of a Clinic by the Nigerian Red Cross Society:The Hon. Commissioner for Land and Physical Planning informed Council, through the contents of this memorandum that a piece of Land was secured for the construction of a clinic by the Nigerian Red Cross Society along Zaria Road for emergency services. The Ministry of Land and Physical Planning requested for the release of the sum of N798,280.00 by Council to enable payment of compensation for the acquired piece of land for the envisaged purpose. The request was approved. In a related development, the Ministry of Land and Physical Planning submitted a memorandum for the supply of an operational vehicle for the dispensation of the day to day professional functions of the various Departments especially Survey, Deeds, Physical Planning, Cadastral and One-Stop-Shop Office. Each of these Departments deserves the allocation of at least three (3) operational vehicles to total up to twelve (12) for the four (4) Departments. The functions of these Departments entail compensation, Survey, Acquisition, Valuation, Cadastral record, Land transaction and revenue generation. So, the Ministry of Land and Physical Planning requested for approval by Council for the procurement and allocation of twelve (12) Toyota Hilux Double Cabin Pick Up vehicles for use by various Departments in the Ministry of Land and Physical Planning. Council considered the request and approved as well as directed the Office of the Secretary to the State Government to process the procurement and allocation of two (2) Toyota Hilux Double Cabin Pick Up vehicles in respect of the Ministry of Land and Physical Planning at the aggregate sum of N13,900,000.00 (i.e. N6,950,000.00 per unit). b. Request for Funds to Facilitate the Relocation of PHCN Utilities and Construction of Drainage Along Sokoto Road:Sokoto Road is among the eleven (11) roads recently selected for the laying of garden interlock tiles along their pedestrian walkways with the aim of beautifying the roads and making the walkways more comfortable to walk on. This protects the walkways and guards them from hawking and encroachment. The eleven (11) roads (Sokoto Road inclusive) were earmarked for an expenditure of N84,989,100.00 for the interlock tiling project. In any case, as the interlock tiling project progresses on Sokoto Road, it was discovered that some section of the road (Guda Abdullahi Junction to Wudil Road) has no drainage system and is considered inevitable to ensure free flow of water during raining season. There is also the existence of PHCN facilities that required relocation. Reportedly, KNUPDA has assessed the cost of both relocation of the PHCN facilities and construction of the drainage amounting to N10,000,000.00 and N15,988,727.27 respectively totaling to the aggregate sum of N25,988,727.27. Notably, there is a provision for cover slabs in the BEME for the interlock tiling projects for the selected. Eleven (11) roads (Sokoto Road inclusive) to the sum of N29,700,000.00. This can be replaced by the project of relocating the PHCN facilities and construction of the required drainage on Sokoto Road. So, the Ministry of Land and Physical Planning requested Council to grant approval for the swapping of the provision of cover slabs at the cost of N29,700,000.00 from the N84,989,100.00 approved for the interlock tiling project on the eleven (11) selected roads. Council noted, considered and approved the release of the sum of N70,000,000.00 to the Ministry of Land and Physical Planning to enable KNUPDA continue with the general interlock tiling project on the selected roads and the execution of the relocation of PHCN facilities and drainage construction on Sokoto Road. 3. OFFICE OF THE HEAD OF CIVIL SERVICE This Office directly submitted five (5) memoranda for deliberation by Council and four (4) were approved for execution as follows: a. Request for Funds to Enable Payment of the First Batch of Bereaved Family Allowance for the Year 2013:Office of the Head of Civil Service requested for the release of the aggregate sum of N5,685,000.00 by Council in compliance with Statutory provisions for disbursement as bereaved family allowance(s) to 105 families of deceased Civil Servants as first batch (1st) for the year 2013. Council promptly approved the release of the requested sum of N5,685,000.00 to the Office of the Head Civil Service for disbursement to the 105 bereaved families of deceased Civil Servants as the first batch for the year 2013. A report of the successful disbursement of the eleventh (11th) batch of the year 2012 was presented to Council for perusal. b. Request for Funds to Enable Registration of Serving Civil Servants Currently with Both the State and LGCAs and Members of the Association of National Accountants of Nigeria (ANAN), Kano Branch:The Head of Civil Service politely alerted Council of a request for financial assistance from the Association of National Accountants of Nigeria (ANAN), Kano Branch to enable registration of its members with the Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria. ANAN is one of the two professional accounting bodies in Nigeria recognized by the Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria. It is a virile homegrown accountancy body which provides a path to a recognized professional qualification which is of the highest international standard and is open to both genders solely on the basis of educational qualification/capacity. Officially launched on 1st January, 1979, ANAN is charged with the general duty, among other things, with advancing the Science of Accountancy. Presently, 175 of its members work with both the State and LGCs among which 142 are Civil Servants with the State Government. So, the Head of Civil Service requested for the release of the sum of N2,982,000.00 by Council to enable the registration of 142 Civil Servants currently with the State Government and direct the 44 LGCAs to process the registration of their respective Staff. The registration fee per individual is N21,000.00 and this multiplied by 142 Civil Servants with the State amounts to the requested sum of N2,982,000.00 which was approved for release by Council to the Head of Civil Service to enable registration of the 142 Civil Servants and members of ANAN with the Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria as the Accounting profession demands. Council directed the 44 LGCs to process sponsorship of Staff under their domain for the registration exercise. c. Request for Funds to Enable Payment of Death Benefit in Respect of Late Justice Muhammad Halliru Abdullahi:Council approved the release of the sum of N68,663,138.04 as the Statutory Benefit for the bereaved family of Late Justice Muhammad Halliru Abdullahi while commiserating with them for the irreplaceable loss as the contents of this memorandum, submitted to Council for consideration by the Office of the Head of Civil Service, recounted the glorious history of Late Justice Muhammad Halliru Abdullahi. d. Request for Funds to Enable Payment of Allowance to 288 Magistrates, Judges, State Counsel and other Judicial Staff:Office of the Head of Civil Service presented a request submitted by the State Ministry of Justice, Shari’a Court of Appeal, Law Reform Commission and the State High Court Judges. The request was for approval by Council for the release of robe allowance to a total of 288 Magistrates, Judges, State Counsels and other Judicial Staff to the tune of N8,640,000.00. The request was considered credible with the potential of improving the condition of service for the Judicial Officers in the State. So, Council considered and approved the release of the requested sum of N8,640,000.00 to the Office of Head of Civil Service for disbursement to the 288 Judicial Officers in the State according to the details presented. 4. MINISTRY OF PLANNING AND BUDGET Two (2) memoranda were submitted for deliberation by Council from the Ministry of Planning and Budget. Only one (1) of them was approved for execution. Thus; Presentation on Reconstitution/Resuscitation of Committee on Revenue Generation, Mobilization and Auditing as well as Formation of a Technical Committee:The Hon. Commissioner, Ministry of Planning and Budget, notified Council, through the contents of this memorandum that, since the establishment of Kano as a State, there has been a Standing Committee on Revenue consisting of stakeholders from key Revenue generating MDAs. The Standing Committee is saddled with the responsibility of ensuring the optimum revenue collection, proper accountability and transparency on collections and related matters. Further, Council was reminded of recent approval granted for stopping all contra-entries by MDAs and Centralization of all Revenue