The Kano government monitored 106 projects valued at N48.9 billion across six local government areas to assess implementation, quality, and service delivery over the year. The commissioner for public procurement, projects monitoring and evaluation, Nura Iro-Ma’aji, disclosed this at a press briefing on Monday in Kano.

Mr Iro-Ma’aji said 80 of the projects, representing 75.5 per cent, recorded 100 per cent progress, while the remaining 20 were at various stages of completion, and six were recently awarded. He said the monitoring exercise covered Kabo, Dawakin Tofa, Tofa, Shanono, Gwarzo and Bagwai council areas.

“The inspections covered roads, classrooms, school renovations, healthcare facilities, neighbourhood security offices, solar-powered streetlights, drainages, water supply and other essential facilities,” Mr Iro-Ma’aji said.

He said the exercise was aimed at assessing the physical implementation of projects, identifying challenges and determining their potential benefits to the communities. The commissioner said the government would conduct follow-up inspections to address delays, incomplete works and quality concerns, while ensuring compliance with approved specifications and contractual obligations. He said monitoring records showed progress on some major road projects.

The projects included the Janguza-Durum-Kabo-Karaye road corridor in Kabo, which recorded 48 per cent completion; the Hawan Ganji-Badari-Kadere road in Gwarzo, 67 per cent; and the five-kilometre road project in Shanono, which attained 65 per cent.

Mr Iro-Ma’aji identified some education projects requiring further attention. The projects, he said, included classrooms at Government Junior Secondary School, Badau, in Bagwai, which recorded 55 per cent, and the GAA/GGSS Badau project at only 16 per cent. He said the Government Technical College (GTC), Gwarzo, project stood at 72 per cent completion.

Mr Iro-Ma’aji added that rehabilitation of Shanono Primary Health Centre stood at 84 per cent, while neighbourhood security divisional offices had attained full completion in several LGAs.

“Dawakin Tofa recorded 85 per cent, while solar street lighting projects in Bagwai and Shanono stood at 35 per cent each,” he said.

He also announced that the state’s Digital Public Procurement Platform had gone live at procurement.kn.gov.ng. According to him, the platform is expected to promote transparency, improve procurement documentation, strengthen audit trails, reduce administrative bottlenecks and enhance value for money.

Mr Iro-Ma’aji said the initiative supports the objectives of the Kano State Public Procurement Law, 2021. He added that its success would depend on adoption by the 10 pilot ministries, departments and agencies, capacity development and regulatory compliance.

The commissioner said the ministry would continue routine and follow-up monitoring across the state’s 44 LGAs and engage contractors and implementing agencies to resolve outstanding issues. He added that the ministry would strengthen quality assurance, geospatial project reporting and public communication through town hall meetings across the LGAs.

Mr Iro-Ma’aji reaffirmed the government’s commitment to transparency and accountability, saying public projects must deliver measurable benefits to residents. He called on implementing agencies, contractors, professional bodies, CSOs and the media to support the government’s efforts to improve project delivery and ensure responsible use of public resources.

(NAN)