….364 Property Owners to Receive Compensation as Government Acquires 10.71% Stake in Amani Mortgage Bank
By: ABC News Nigeria
The Katsina State Executive Council has approved the transformation of the state’s Medical Imaging and Diagnostic Centre into a multi-specialist hospital and Cancer Centre, in a major move aimed at expanding access to advanced healthcare services and reducing medical tourism abroad.
The approval was announced following the 19th regular meeting of the State Executive Council, where the Commissioner for Health, Musa Adamu, briefed journalists on the decisions reached by the council.
Adamu described the development as another step in the state government’s efforts to strengthen the healthcare system and position Katsina as a destination for specialised medical services.
He explained that the proposed multi-specialist hospital would be equipped with modern medical facilities and advanced diagnostic equipment designed to meet international standards.
According to him, the facility would provide comprehensive diagnostic services and specialised medical treatment, thereby improving access to quality healthcare for residents of Katsina and neighbouring states.
He added that the initiative was also expected to reduce the growing need for patients to travel outside the country in search of advanced medical diagnosis and treatment.
In another major decision, the council approved the establishment of Katsina State’s first-ever Model Veterinary Hospital, marking a new development in the state’s livestock and animal healthcare sector.
Announcing the approval, Prof. Mohammed Bakori said the proposed facility would strengthen animal healthcare delivery, improve veterinary services and support increased livestock production.
He noted that the livestock sector remained an important component of Katsina’s economy, making investment in animal health and veterinary infrastructure essential to improving productivity and safeguarding the sector.
The council also approved compensation payments to 364 property owners whose properties were affected by the ongoing construction of the Rahamawa/Abattoir Road in Katsina metropolis.
The intervention, according to the council, is intended to ensure that affected property owners receive appropriate compensation and facilitate the smooth execution of the road project.
On the investment front, the Economic Adviser to Governor Dikko Umaru Radda, Khalil Nura Khalil, disclosed that the council had approved the acquisition of a 10.71 per cent ordinary shareholding in Amani Mortgage Bank by the Katsina State Government.
The approval also includes a corresponding seat for the state government on the bank’s Board of Directors.
Khalil explained that the investment would expand Katsina’s participation in the financial services industry, strengthen its investment portfolio and create opportunities for greater involvement in the mortgage banking sector.
He further disclosed that the investment would be managed by the Katsina State Investment and Property Development Company (KIPDECO).
Meanwhile, the council has approved a downward review of registration, licensing and annual renewal fees payable by scrap dealers, retailers and vendors operating across the state.
The Commissioner for Commerce, Yusuf Jirdede, said the decision was aimed at easing the financial burden on operators, encouraging more businesses to formalise their operations and improving compliance with existing regulations.
He explained that reducing the fees would make it easier for operators in the scrap business to register their activities while promoting a more organised commercial environment across Katsina State.
The latest council decisions cover critical sectors, including healthcare, livestock development, road infrastructure, investment and commerce, reflecting the range of issues addressed during the meeting.
With the proposed specialist hospital and Cancer Centre, the Model Veterinary Hospital, compensation for 364 property owners and the acquisition of shares in Amani Mortgage Bank, the government has outlined several initiatives expected to have implications for public services and economic activities across the state.
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