By Luka Binniyat

Governor Patrick Yakowa marked his 100 days in office penultimate Monday amid fanfare at Kaduna State Government House and gave himself high marks on enthroning law and order in the state among other things he had done.

At the ceremony, the governor launched 186 farm tractors valued at N1.2 billion under the “Kaduna State Tractorisation Project.”

He also commissioned 23 waste disposal trucks, two fire fighting vehicles and assorted drugs for rural dwellers.

The cost price of each tractor, according to Kaduna State Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr Ramalan Giwa, was N6.45 million, but they would be sold to Kaduna State-based farmers at N2.6 million, after the federal and state governments paid a subsidy of N716.4 million on the tractors.

The Governor said that the tractors enjoyed a subsidy of 60 per cent, the highest for any of such schemes among all the states of the federation.

“I am happy that we have so far distributed over 36,000 metric tones of fertilizer throughout the 23 LGs. Our early arrangement has made Kaduna State the best in terms of quantity and timeliness of distribution in the whole country,” he said, adding that agriculture was one of his premium programmes.

He also announced the continuation of the sale of Kerosene through the Kero-Direct Scheme to Local Government Areas at N50 per litre.

The Governor distributed 7000 branded crash helmets to registered commercial motorcycle riders free of charge as well as 52 computers, 79 generators and 83 sewing machines to youths that have undergone skills acquisition training.

Said Yakowa: “The development of water sector in Kaduna State is being given top priority, especially with regards to the Zaria 150 million litres water project. The Malali water works, the Birnin Gwari dam, Saminaka water project, Manchok water scheme and Kachia water projects are still being pursued to ensure that potable water gets to our people.

“Work on the 4th River Kaduna bridge, its access road and other road constructions like the Hayin Danmani – Rigasa road, Cemetery road in Sabon Gari, Soba – Ikara road, Jere – Kurmin Jibrin, Kamfani Zango – Igabi Dawaki and spur to Lamba Zango road and so many other ongoing road constructions in various parts of the state have significantly progressed.

The mass housing scheme in the three senatorial zones are also progressing. As of today 200 of such houses have been completed.”

Work on the 300_bed specialist teaching hospital is steadily progressing, according to the governor, adding that he had ordered the distribution hospitals equipment, drugs, delivery kits, and furniture to primary healthcare centers in the three senatorial zones as well as sustaining polio and routine immunization programmes in the state.

The governor is nevertheless, still confronted with the delicate problem of putting a complete end to the sectarian crises that have repeatedly confronted the state.

While the northern section of the state is almost now at peace, sporadic incidents now and then arise in the southern section of the state.

It is, however, comforting that the kind of insurrections and sectarian crises that have troubled some neighbouring states have been put at bay by the quick respond mechanism of the Yakowa administration.

The healing of wounds may, however, take a much longer time given the suspicion and division along sectarian lines all over the state.