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Zamfara State Governor, Dauda Lawal, inaugurated six committees to oversee key policies at the council chamber of the old Government House in Gusau on Thursday.
The committees, carefully selected from a diverse pool of experts, including technocrats, academics, and seasoned administrators, are tasked with addressing critical needs.
Lawal emphasised that these groups would drive progress across various sectors.
A statement made available to PUNCH Online by the governor’s spokesperson, Sulaiman Bala Idris, listed the committees: the Human Capital Development Council, Committee to Combat Drug Abuse, Land Use and Allocation Committee, Development Plan Committee, the Steering Committee for Nigeria’s Human Capital Opportunities, and the World Bank’s Solutions for Internally Displaced Persons and Host Communities.
The governor said, “The Human Capital Development Council will be chaired by His Excellency, the Deputy Governor, Mani Mallam Mummini Masamar Mudi, with the Honourable Senior Special Assistant on Human Capital Development as Secretary.
“The mandate of this committee is to ensure a proper framework for community engagement that enhances the sustainability of government projects and programmes on human development. It will also coordinate the mandates of human capital development-related MDAs and eliminate bottlenecks in service delivery.
“Through this committee, the government will ensure the optimal utilisation of the knowledge and skills acquired by our people, particularly the youth and women, to empower them to realise their full potential as productive members of society.
“The second committee is tasked with addressing the pressing problem of drug abuse in the state. This committee will conduct a comprehensive assessment of drug abuse in our communities, examining the types of drugs being abused, the demographics of users, and the rate of prevalence.
“Additionally, it will investigate the root causes of drug abuse and recommend prevention and intervention strategies. The First Lady, Her Excellency Hajiya Huriyya Dauda Lawal, will chair this committee, and the Secretary is the Director of Pharmacy, Ministry of Health.
According to the statement, each committee has specific mandates, such as addressing drug abuse, finalising the state’s 10-Year Development Plan, improving human capital, and managing land use.
Lawal added, “The committee to finalise the draft of the Zamfara State Ten-Year Development Plan, 2024–2033, has the mandate to ensure that the content of the draft presented two months ago is well-structured and aligns with the national standards and our transformation agenda.
“The committee will also provide insights into governance and institutional processes targeted by reforms. It should also work closely with UNICEF’s Sokoto Field Office to actualise, approve, and launch the plan. Mallam Wadatau Madawaki, the Honourable Education, Science, and Technology Commissioner, will chair this committee.
“The State Land Use and Allocation Committee, a strategic body, will provide direction for land administration and management policy. It will process applications for land allocation, recommend suitable candidates to the Governor, and offer advice on the revocation of land rights in cases of overriding public interest.
“Additionally, the committee will determine compensation for land use. The committee is chaired by Alhaji Ali Bako, a veteran land surveyor and retired Permanent Secretary.”
Meanwhile, Lawal noted that the steering committee for the World Bank Solutions for Internally Displaced Persons and Host Communities, or Solid Project, would be led by Abdulmalik Abubakar Gajam, Commissioner of Budget and Planning.
He added, “This committee is responsible for domesticating the World Bank’s durable solutions for IDPs and host communities Projects which the Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning coordinates.
“The project aims to improve access to essential services and economic opportunities for IDPs and host communities in displacement-affected local government areas of Northern Nigeria, including Zamfara State.
“The final committee is the Steering Committee for Nigeria Human Capital Opportunities for Prosperity and Equity in Governance.
“This is part of a national programme Zamfara State intends to enter. This programme comprises three interdependent operations designed to address various challenges and support resource allocation and expenditure improvements for basic education and primary healthcare services.
“The committee will focus on increasing the availability and effectiveness of financing for primary education and healthcare, improving transparency and accountability, and enhancing recruitment and performance management for teachers and healthcare workers.”
Lawal further expressed confidence that their work would support the state’s transformation agenda.
