Kaduna State Government has reiterated its commitment to strengthening the traditional institution by instituting a series of reforms and addressing the welfare of monarchs.
Governor Nasir El-Rufai further said his administration has enacted a law to clarify succession processes for every chiefdom and emirate and insulate the institution from political interference and capricious decisions.
The governor made this known during the presentation of the staff of office to the new Etsu Chikun of Chikun, His Highness Isyaku Yari, in Kakau, last Wednesday.
Governor El-Rufai who congratulated Yari on his appointment as the new Etsu Chikun of Chikun, urged the monarch to see his appointment as a call to service.
He stated that the state government is addressing the working conditions of the traditional institution, adding that the administration has distributed official vehicles to all the 32 graded.
The governor noted that the state government has also purchased and it is currently distributing another set of official vehicles to the 88 District Heads.
“Our traditional institutions are helping our agencies with intelligence at the local level. Across the state, District and Village Heads are helping to promote better record-keeping and data gathering in our communities on births, deaths, and routine immunisation of children against vaccine-preventable diseases.
“On our part, the Kaduna State Government has taken steps to strengthen the traditional institution. We have enacted a law to reform the traditional institution, clarify succession processes for every chiefdom and emirate and insulate the institution from political interference and capricious decisions.
“The law provides for the posting of well-trained and experienced personnel to staff the various traditional councils. We expect the Reform of Traditional Institutions Law passed in 2021, to assist the traditional institutions to better discharge their roles.
“The Kaduna State Government is addressing the welfare and working conditions of the traditional institution in the state, within its constraints. Many palaces are also being renovated to improve the living conditions of the royal fathers,’’ he said.
“As you are aware, this government has undertaken unprecedented measures to expand infrastructure and to improve the access of ordinary people to education and health care,’’ he added.
According to the governor, ‘’our investment drive continues to attract new business to the state. Chikun Chiefdom hosts some of the largest new investments in the state.’’
“The state government is also implementing infrastructure projects within this Chiefdom. Early this year, President Muhammadu Buhari commissioned the road from Millennium City to the Eastern Bypass, one of the longest road projects we constructed in the first phase of our urban renewal programme,’’ he said.
El-Rufai further said that ‘’in addition, the Kaduna Capital Territory Authority (KCTA) is undertaking the following projects within Chikun LGA; Completion of the Romi-Karatudu Road, 2.9km road network around the Sabon Tasha market, Millennium City to Keke Road, Baptist Church Road at Janruwa, Water intake to Sabon Tasha Road, Ungwan Gimbiya Road.
“Also, the Kaduna Market Development and Management Company (KMDMC) is reconstructing the Sabon Tasha Market in a public-private partnership,” he stated.
Governor El-Rufai urged all our communities to continue to uphold friendly relations and mutual coexistence.
