Niger State Government has paid over N205 million Naira to the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) to clear the backlog of the Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) fees owed by the State Government.
The Special Adviser to the Governor on Print Media, Aisha Wakaso disclosed this during a press briefing held at the Government House, Minna.
Wakaso who coordinated the press briefing also disclosed that the State government is paying N30 Million monthly to the National Examinations Council ( NECO) to clear the backlog of the SSCE fees accrued by the previous administration.
The Special Adviser further revealed that the State Government has taken delivery of some Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) Buses which is part of the 200 Buses contract agreement at the cost of N7 billion, expected to be delivered to the State for free transportation to students and subsidized rate for civil servants as part of palliative to ease the effect of fuel subsidy removal.
In his remarks, the Commissioner for Lands and Survey, Barr. Maurice Magaji said the State Government plans to revamp the Niger State Information Geographic Information Systems (NIGIS) in line with global best practices.
Barr. Magaji said contractors are to be engaged in mapping the State to have coordinates that will provide useful information to prospective investors
He said a component of land Registry will be created to electronically issue land titles thereby making the process less cumbersome.
The Commissioner said the Ministry is making an effort to clear the backlog of the application for the Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) made in the last administration.
The Special Adviser to the Governor on Social Investment Programmes, Hauwa Bako Mohammed said that the state government is re-strategising on how to sustain the social investment programmes initiated by the Federal government.
She disclosed that 50 youths from Niger state are being engaged in Abeokuta, Ogun state, in a comprehensive 3 months training on soilless farming, cutting-edge greenhouse technology, hydroponics, and the seamless integration of Artificial Intelligence in agriculture which is sponsored by MasterCard Foundation.
Hauwa explained that the youth when they return will train other youth in the state skills in modern agricultural practices to bring about holistic development and sustainability of the sector.
Bologi Ibrahim
Chief Press Secretary
to the Governor of Niger State
17/10/2023.
