The Kaduna State Government has launched a partnership with the Islamic Development Bank (IDB) which provides a loan of $141.45 million towards the provision of critical infrastructures in Health, Education and Water Supply sectors.

Under the partnership, the IDB is providing a total of $141 million with the breakdown including $81 million for the construction of Transmission Mains and Service Reservoirs at the Zaria Regional Water Supply Project, $43.13 million for the provision of modern equipment at the 300 bed-space Specialist Hospital at the Millennium City which is presently at 67% completion and $17.32 million for the construction of four new science secondary schools to be located in the New Kaduna City, Koreye in Sabon Gari LGA, Rigachikun in Igabi LGA and Manchok in Kaura LGA.

The actual total amount of $141.45 million is contrary to reports by some media outfits erroneously putting the total IDB loan at $300 million.

Speaking at the Start-Up Project Launching of the IDB funded projects yesterday held at the 300 bed-space Specialist Hospital in Kaduna, Governor Mukhtar Ramalan Yero reiterated his administration’s commitment to completing all projects it inherited from his predecessors.

“We have promised the people that we are going to complete all ongoing projects in the state and I want to assure the people that we have not abandoned any project and we remain committed to completing them based on availability of funds,” he said.

“Out of the three projects, two are to refinance payment to the IDB which are, the 300 bed-space hospital and the 150 MLD Zaria Regional Water Project. The only burden are the science schools and I believe if we spend all the money we have as a State on education, it won’t even be sufficient to get us to where we want to be,” the governor added.

Yero cautioned Kaduna citizens not to allow people from outside the state to create confusion, saying: “We will not allow Kaduna State to be thrown into anarchy; every citizen must respect the law and we have to be steadfast in ensuring that we don’t allow outsiders to come and create confusion and then runaway and leave us in trouble.”

He called on people in the state to remain peaceful and tolerant irrespective of their differences as “we must learn to live peacefully with our differences.”

Speaking earlier, Country Manager and Senior Financial Analyst of IDB, Mr. Mahmood Kamara, said the bank provides funds for viable projects initiated by both public and private sectors. “IDB is a true partner committed to supporting development projects in Nigeria, to meet the yearnings and aspirations of the people. The IDB group is focused on social and economic development of member countries,” Kamara said.

Also speaking at the event, Chairman Kaduna State House of Assembly Committee on Health, Mallam Muhammad Ali, praised Governor Yero for remaining unflinching in his resolve to providing people oriented projects.

He declared the total support of the Legislative arm to the laudable projects being accomplished by Yero, saying: “The governor deserves commendation and that is why as lawmakers we shall always support him to lead us to achieve our aspirations.”

•Photo shows Governor Yero.

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