Bauchi SEC approves implementation of contributory pension scheme

The Bauchi State Executive Council on Wednesday approved the implementation of a contributory pension scheme for civil servants in the state.

The disclosure was made by the State Head of Civil Service, Yahuza Adamu Ningi while briefing journalists on the outcome of the council meeting.

Ningi said with this development, the payee will contribute 8% assuring that credible pension administrators will be employed for the scheme aimed at addressing the lingering pension and gratuity backdrop in the state.

He confirmed that negotiations for the payment of the new minimum wage for the state workers is at the advanced stage, assuring the workers that the state government is committed to their welfare.

He also announced that the council ratified the recruitment of 2,000 Bauchi youths as BAROTA Corps.

The move, according to him, will address the rising unemployment rate among Youths towards assisting the state government in maintaining law and order on the roads and other endeavors.

In another move to protect the state-owned Sumu game reserve, the SEC has directed for the fencing of the wildlife park in Ganjuwa Local Government, which according to the Commissioner, Ministry of Culture and Tourism Abdul Hassan will protect the species from attack.

The Commissioner added that SEC also approved the installation of solar panels to power the Yankari Game Reserve in order to further improve revenue generation into the coffers of the state.

He added that in addition to the solar power project, twenty five more chalets and other structures would be renovated to meet the required standard of accommodation found in similar reserves the world over.

On the part of the Ministry of Solid Minerals and Natural Resources, the Commissioner, Maiwada Bello affirmed that the council has agreed to spend over N6 billion for the construction of permanent site of Bauchi State Oil and Gas Academy in Alkaleri Local Government.

He added that the council also approved the renaming to Ministry of Natural Resources Development to further reinject on the zeal and commitment to do more on exploring the state’s abundant natural resources and solid minerals.

Furthermore, from the Ministry of Education, the Commissioner, Dr. Jamila Mohammed Dahiru said that the SEC has ratified the workplan for World Bank assisted project, AGILE in Bauchi state.

She explained that under the project, some selected schools across the state will be renovated and equipped describing the project as the best in sub-saharan Africa which will no doubt enhance the standard and quality of education in Bauchi state.

She stressed that under the AGILE project, more schools would be renovated, upgraded and provided with WASH facilities to improve schools enrollment in the state.

The project, she noted also covered capacity building for teachers , new construction and renovation of schools across the state targeting the children of the poorest of the poor including second chance schools for women who dropped out of school for some reasons.

The Commissioner of Works and Transport, Ibrahim Gambo Galadima said that the council ratified the various road projects flagged off by the Governor, Bala Mohammed Abdulkadir in Kirfi, Alkaleri, Dass, Toro and Bauchi LGAs for sustainable growth and development.

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