From Muawuya Bala Idris, Katsina
The Katsina State Government has awarded contracts for the rehabilitation of 102 dilapidated primary schools across the state at a cost of about N2.5bn.
The Special Adviser on Local Inspectorate, Hon. Lawal Rufai Safana, disclosed this while speaking with journalists during the award of contracts to local indigenous contractors in Katsina.
Safana said the rehabilitation exercise, which is the first phase of the programme, involves the selection of three primary schools from each of the 34 local government areas of the state.
According to him, the intervention is aimed at improving learning conditions and boosting basic education delivery across the state.
He explained that, in addition to rehabilitating the dilapidated school buildings, the government would provide desks, chairs, as well as teaching and learning materials to the benefiting schools.
Safana said the rehabilitation work is expected to be completed within eight weeks, warning that any contractor who fails to comply with the terms of the contract would be sanctioned.
He urged host communities to closely monitor the projects and report any contractor found executing substandard jobs.
The special adviser added that his office would closely supervise the execution of the projects to ensure strict compliance with specifications and contract agreements.
Safana further assured that the state government plans to rehabilitate all dilapidated primary school structures across Katsina State by 2026.