Persistent tussles over the control of markets by unregistered Trade Associations in Kano state necessitated the enactment of Law No. 4 of 2014 by the state government, the state governor, Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso has revealed.
Governor Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso disclosed this during the launch of registration of Trade Associations/individuals, graduation of second batch of 530 GSM repairs trainees and distribution of 487 motorcycles to agricultural extension workers at the Government House lawn in Kano on Thursday.
He said the law will regulate the activities of the several interest groups in markets in Kano which is the commercial nerve centre of Northern Nigeria.
Gov. Kwankwaso explained that a biometric identity card was introduced for all business operators in Kano to among other things, enhance security, provide government with a database on business operators and enable traders to migrate to e-commerce in line with best practices in the global business environment.
In this regard, he appealed to business enterprises and individuals operating in the state to cooperate with the state government on the project in view of its importance to trade and investment.
Turning to the graduating GSM repairers, the governor stated that about N19. 6 million was expended in training and providing them with free empowerment packages which consists of a work station, multipurpose screw drivers and N10, 000 for each beneficiary.
“With a good percent of our people using mobile phones, the need for continuous training and re-training of our youth to fill the ever increasing technicians gap becomes a strategic tool for employment”, Gov. Kwankwaso stressed.
On the motorcycles given to the agricultural extension workers, he maintained that N44. 8 million was spent on the purchase of the 487 motorcycles on loan at the cost of N91, 991. He however, pointed out that the motorcycles have been subsidized by 30 percent to encourage the beneficiaries to offer better agricultural and development advisory services across the state.
In his speech, the Emir of Kano, Malam Muhammdu Sanusi II, CON, said economic progress, education and health are the key areas that every responsible government should pay attention to, lamenting that inadequate focus on these sectors is responsible for the current security and economic challenges facing the country.
The Emir, therefore, praised the Kwankwaso administration for embarking on employment generation and infrastructural development programmes, assuring that the Kano Emirate Council will continue to work hand-in-hand with the government to achieve the set goals.
Others speakers during the occasion included the Saudi Arabian Consul in Kano, Shaikh Majid Qahtani, a former military governor of the state, Major Gen. Idris Garba (Rtd) and the representative of Sasakawa Global 2000, Ms. Esther Afor Ibrahim who all praised Gov. Kwankwaso for his relentless efforts in turning around the fortunes of Kano.
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