KATSINA—THE Katsina State Government has begun the disbursement of N35.8 million under its Conditional Cash Transfer, CCT, programme to 6, 966 primary school girls in the state.

Special Adviser to Governor Ibrahim Shema on Girl-child Education and Development, Hajiya Bilkisu Kaikai, said the amount was being disbursed to selected pupils under the fifth round of the programme. This came even as the State Executive Council has approved two contracts worth N694, 839, 897.15k for the classroom blocks and workshops at the Information Communication Technology and Business School, Katsina.

Commissioner for Works, Housing and Transport, Mustapha Maikudi made this known while briefing newsmen on the outcome of the EXCO meeting, yesterday.

However, Hajia Kaikai who spoke while issuing out the grant to some of the beneficiaries at Unguwar Tsamiya Village in Kaita Local Government Area of the state said that each of the girls would receive N5,000.

She said the money was to support pupils from very poor homes in the pursuit of primary school education and urged parents in the state to enrol their wards especially girls into schools.

Earlier, the coordinator of the programme, Alhaji Kabir Sani, had said that the cash assistance was intended to encourage girl-child education and asked parents of the girls to ensure proper use of the fund to enhance the education of their daughters.

On the construction of the blocks of classrooms, Maikudi said the contracts had different completion periods of 32 weeks and 12 weeks respectively.

A statement signed by the Special Assistant, Press Affairs to Governor Ibrahim Shema, AbdulHamid Danjuma, said Hijag Construction Nigeria Ltd, is to construct the second component of four blocks of class rooms and four blocks of workshops in the institution.

The Commissioner further said that each block of class rooms would have nine classes and one common room, adding: “The cost of this particular contract is N591, 247,947.15k.”

He said: “The council further approved the contract for the furnishing and provision of furniture and beds at eight additional buildings at the new Government House, Katsina. The buildings to be furnished and equipped with furniture include the press centre, steward quarters, energy centre and one additional office block. Others are blocks of Governor’s Guest Chalets, staff canteen and the quarters for presidential aides.