From Maiharaji Altine Salah
Kebbi State Governor, Comrade Dr.Nasir Idris, Kauran Gwandu, has assured medical doctors working under the State government that their salaries would be increased.
This was contained in a statement by the Special Adviser to Governor Nasir Idris on Media and Publicity, Alhaji Yahya Sarki and made available to Analyzer news on Wednesday.
According to the statement, the gesture was in the bid to stem the tide of brain drain, leading to an exodus of many Medical Doctors and Nurses leaving the service of the state for greener pastures in Federal health institutions.
The Governor has also ordered the State Ministry of Health to recruit more doctors and nurses.
The Kauran Gwandu disclosed this on Tuesday in Birnin Kebbi when he addressed indigenes of Yauri /Shanga/Ngaski stakeholders on the victory of APC during the re-run polls and bye-elections held on Saturday.
He said, “I have asked NMA why are the Doctors leaving our hospitals for others under the Federal Medical Centers of federal government as such negatively affecting our health delivery efforts.
“I was told that it was because of the huge pay disparity between them and those under the Federal Government.
“I was told that the difference ranges from N130,000 to N170,000 and I have approved that this gap should be immediately closed by us.
“This effort is intended to retain these Doctors and Nurses for them to provide efficient healthcare services to our people.
“This is the only thing we can do to reciprocate the sustained support and fervent prayers of the people of the state.”
Dr. Idris also stated that the state government will soon employ more doctors, nurses, start rehabilitating several hospitals and PHCs across the state.
He said further that he has approved N10 billion for the rehabilitation and cosntruction of some schools and classrooms.
The governor added that the state government will soon begin the construciron of mega schools I. Yauri, Zuru, Argungu and Birnin Kebbi.
Dr. Idris also said that efforts will be sustained to give Birnin Kebbi, the state capital, the befitting status it deserves to make it at par with its contempriaries across the country.
On agriculture, the Kauran Gwandu vowed that his administration will sustain on its efforts for increased food production in the State.
In this direction, he said that the state government has purchased 10,000 solar powered water pumping machines, as well as 25,000 diesel powered ones.
Dr. Idris also said that the state government will henceforth be purchasing petrol to be sold to irrigation farmers across the state at highly subsidized prices in collaborationwith FGN.
“Generally, we will continue to shame our detectors and the doubting Thomases who are thinking that we will fail the people of state.
“We will buckle up and spend the money belonging to the people of the state to improve their living standard in all ramifications, “Dr Idris promised.
”My administration is government of the people and my vision and mission is to serve people diligently.
Earlier in their separate remarks, the former Chairman of Yauri Local Government Area, Hon Bala Usman Gagga, Hon Halima Hassan Tukur, former member House of representatives and the State House of Assembly member from the area, Hon Adamu Muhammad Birnin Yauri expressed appreciation about the good leadership qualities of Governor Nasir Idris and the ongoing developmental projects put in place by the Kauran Gwandu-led administration in the three local Government Areas of Shanga,Yauri and Ngaski.
They also thanked him for supporting the election of APC candidate for Ngaski/Yauri/Shanga Federal constituency, Hon. Garba Umar ,Bullet.
Hajiya Halima Hassan Tukur told the governor that women in the area played significantly role in the recently concluded re-run and bye elections in the area which led to the success of APC candidate, Hon Garba Umar ,Bullet.
She said,”Because women believe in your leadership of inclusivity that is why we voted for you as our Governor and now we voted for Hon Garba Bullet”.