Jigawa Suspends More Contractors Over Poor School Feeding

The Jigawa State government has suspended more contractors responsible for school and hospital feeding programmes for allegedly providing poor and unhygienic meals and other fraudulent practices.

The suspension followed an inspection visit by the state commissioner for Special Duties and Humanitarian Affairs, Hon Auwal Sankara and his task force team.

Briefing journalists on the exercise, Hon Sankara stated that the monitoring visits were aimed at assessing the quality of the feeding programmes and ensuring that they meet required standards.

He added that the administration of Governor Umar Namadi is deeply concerned about public nutrition, particularly for boarding school students and hospital patients who depend directly on government-provided meals.

According to the commissioner, during a visit to the Dutse General Hospital, the team identified significant gaps in both the quality and quantity of food provided to patients. This discovery led to the immediate suspension of the contractors pending further investigation.

Meanwhile, contractors responsible for feeding at Birnin Kudu General Hospital were issued a warning to improve their services. In contrast, the commissioner expressed satisfaction with and commended the contractors handling the feeding programmes at Government Unity College, Birnin Kudu, and Government Girls Senior Secondary School, Gwaram.

However, Hon Sankara directed a full review of the feeding package at the School for the Gifted in Birnin Kudu to ensure that it meets proper standards and reflects the school’s special status.

He pledged to continue the inspection visits to enforce strict compliance in the management of the feeding programmes and ensuring that students and patients benefit fully from every kobo spent on their meals.