KSADP AWARDS N2.5 BILLION CONTRACTS FOR GRAZING RESERVE DEVELOPMENT

ALIMOTU SHADIAT

Kano State Agro-Pastoral Development Project, KSADP, has awarded contracts, in the sum of N2, 509, 343, 144. 10, for provision of capital projects at Dansoshiya Grazing Reserve, in Kiru Local government area of the state.

The infrastructure, which will transform the area into a model grazing reserve, include establishment of 2, 000 hectares of communal grazing and 1, 000 hectares homestead grazing land, construction of earth dam, construction of 25 kilometers perimeter fence as well as construction of 20 kilometer access earth road and provision of fire breakers.

The rest are construction of mosque, a block of three classrooms, store, Mini market, Cattle pen, Loading ramp, Veterinary clinic and equipment, and five solar powered boreholes.

It is estimated that on completion of the contracts, which were awarded to indigenous companies, not less than 20, 000 pastoralist families will settle conveniently in the grazing reserve.

Meanwhile, the Islamic Development Bank financed project awarded contract for design and supervision consultancy services, for the construction of 70 kilometer access feeder roads in the three senatorial zones of the state, at the cost of N98, 011, 749.

Speaking shortly after the contract awards, superintended by the Kano State Ministry of Justice, the State Project Coordinator, Kano State Agro-Pastoral Development Project, Malam Ibrahim Garba Muhammad described the event as a major milestone towards achieving Kano’s pastoral development strategy.

“The development of the grazing reserve will not only improve lives and livelihoods of the pastoralists but also provide enabling condition for mitigating farmers-herdsmen conflict in the state”, he emphasized.

On his part, the Managing Director of Kano State Agricultural and Rural Development Authority, KNARDA, Dr. Junaidu Yakubu Muhammad, warned the contractors to abide by the contractual guidelines and specifications in order to deliver quality services, warning that any defaulting company will be sanctioned according to the law.