The Kano State Government has set aside N99.9 million for the renovation of the Nasarawa mini palace, currently occupied by the deposed Emir, Aminu Ado Bayero.
The announcement was made by the state Commissioner for Information, Halilu Dantiye, during a press briefing on the outcomes of the State Executive Council meeting held on Saturday.
Dantiye stated that the funds will be used to repair the defective wall, fence, and surroundings of the palace.
This follows a directive issued on Thursday by the Commissioner of Justice, Haruna Dederi, for the Commissioner of Police to evict Bayero from the palace in preparation for its demolition and renovation.
In addition to the palace renovation, the government has earmarked N8.6 billion for various projects in health, education, water supply, and agriculture.
Additionally, funds will be allocated for the renovation and upgrading of a sickle cell unit at Murtala Muhammed Specialist Hospital for N81.6 million and for construction works at the Infectious Diseases Hospital to establish the new Kano State Centre for Diseases Control at N64.8 million.
Meanwhile, the Kano-based group War Against Injustice has criticized the allocation for the palace renovation as a misallocation of resources.
The group’s Executive Director, Umar Ibrahim, urged the government to prioritize projects that benefit the common people, such as improving primary schools and healthcare facilities, rather than focusing on elite interests.
“We are appalled by the Kano State Executive Council’s decision to approve the reconstruction and renovation of the Nasarawa Emir’s Palace at a staggering cost of N99,928,541.63.
This gross misallocation of resources is unacceptable when primary schools and healthcare facilities in Kano State are in a state of disrepair,” Ibrahim stated.
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