Uba Sani, governor of Kaduna, says the light rail project approved by the federal executive council (FEC) will reduce transportation challenges faced by workers in the state.
Sani spoke on Friday at the Workers’ Day celebration held at
Murtala Square in Kaduna.
The governor thanked President Bola Tinubu for approving the
project, saying his administration recognises the economic pressures workers
face in the wake of fuel subsidy reforms.
He said the rail project would work alongside the state’s
bus rapid transit system to improve movement within the city.
“Our relationship with organised labour has been
constructive and we remain committed to sustaining this partnership through
dialogue and cooperation,” he said.
“To ease transportation costs, we introduced the Free CNG
Bus Service. With 100 buses deployed, over 1.5 million citizens have benefited
within nine months, saving an estimated ₦1.4 billion in transport expenses.
“The Kaduna Light Rail will complement the Bus Rapid Transit
system and significantly improve urban mobility by providing safe, reliable,
and affordable transportation.”
The governor said his administration has maintained a
constructive relationship with organised labour through dialogue and
cooperation.
Sani said the Kaduna government has also prioritised the
welfare of retirees, including payments for pensions, gratuities and death
benefits.
“In line with this understanding, we have prioritised the
welfare of retirees,” he said.
“With the recent release of ₦4.289 billion, total payments
for pensions, gratuities, and death benefits now stand at ₦17.796 billion,
benefiting over 8,300 individuals.”
He said the payment reflects the administration’s commitment
to honouring those who served the state.
Sani said 15 percent of the state’s 2026 budget was
allocated to the healthcare sector.
He said the government upgraded 255 primary healthcare
centres to level two status, established 23 centres of excellence, and built a
300-bed specialist hospital.
“We have also strengthened secondary healthcare through the
upgrade of 15 General Hospitals and ensured improved welfare for health workers
through the implementation of CONHESS and CONMESS,” he added.
In the education sector, the governor said the
administration constructed 736 classrooms, renovated over 1,200 classrooms,
recruited 10,000 teachers, and trained more than 33,000 personnel.
He said 62 new secondary schools had been completed, while
50 others are under construction.
“Under our out-of-school children programme we have
commenced the construction of 102 new schools and the renovation of 170
existing ones across all local government areas,” he said.
“Nearly 150 road projects covering over 1,345 kilometers, we
are connecting communities, facilitating trade, and supporting economic
growth.”
The governor said peace-building efforts have restored
stability in Birnin-Gwari, Giwa, Kajuru and Igabi, enabling farmers to return
to their farmlands.
In his remarks, Ayuba Suleiman, chairman of the Nigeria
Labour Congress (NLC) in Kaduna, commended the state government for the free
transport scheme, resumption of the teachers’ end-well scheme, and reabsorption
of Kaduna State Water Corporation workers into the payroll.
Suleiman also praised the administration for paying N17.7
billion in pension and retirement benefits.
He, however, appealed to the government to implement
consequential salary adjustments for senior civil servants.
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