Jigawa Approves N2.5bn For Uranium, Oil Explorations

The Jigawa State Executive Council has approved the release of N2.5 billion for a geophysical survey and geoscience study to explore potential deposits of uranium, oil, and gas within the State.

The State’s Commissioner for Information, Youth, Sports, and Culture, Hon. Sagir Musa, announced this while briefing journalists on the outcome of the State Executive Council meeting on Wednesday.

He stated that the approval for the survey in specific areas followed years of preliminary studies and reports on various mineral resources across Jigawa State.

Hon. Musa added that the project will focus on sub-surface geophysical and geoscience surveys in prospective areas believed to contain uranium, oil, and gas, aimed at gathering all necessary information required for further action.

According to the commissioner, the approval was part of Governor Umar Namadi’s administration’s policy to unlock the state’s mineral resources and leverage other areas of comparative advantage to build a resilient and sustainable local economy.

He revealed that the council also approved the release of N1.5 billion for additional classroom renovations and the procurement of classroom furniture to enhance the teaching and learning environment across the state.

“The council also approved N250 million as a matching grant to UNICEF for the procurement of Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food (RUTF) for the treatment of children with acute malnutrition,” he said.

“The sum of N459 million as a capitation grant to 281 selected Primary Healthcare Facilities. This funding is for the Social Health Insurance programme under the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund, aimed at supporting vulnerable and less-privileged individuals in the state,” Hon. Musa added.