Governor Lawal boosts public transport system, distributes 50 new buses to Zamfara transport workers
July 3, 2026 8:03 am
Governor Dauda Lawal had boosted the transportation sector in Zamfara State by distributing 50 new buses to the Zamfara State chapter of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW).
The buses were officially handed over to recipients on Wednesday at the Government House in Gusau. A statement by the governor’s spokesperson, Sulaiman Bala Idris, disclosed that the Zamfara State Government provided the 50 buses to the NURTW as a loan under the Zamfara State Loan Scheme. The statement added that part of the critical assets distributed includes five fire trucks procured to support effective firefighting.
In his remarks, Governor Lawal reiterated that the loan scheme is part of his administration’s efforts to improve the public transportation system, promote economic empowerment, and enhance the safety and efficiency of transportation for our people.
He said, “The buses would be distributed to the NURTW on loan, under the Zamfara State Loan Scheme. The union has agreed to participate in the identification, supervision, and repayment of its members’ vehicles. “Under this scheme, the vehicles were procured at the cost of N27,390,000.00 only. However, the Government will provide a 20% subsidy on the total cost of each vehicle.
“This represents the sum of N5,478,000.00 per vehicle. Therefore, each beneficiary will pay N21,912,000.00 per vehicle within 44 months of vehicle allocation. “We are also commissioning 5 units of fire trucks procured for an effective firefighting mechanism. “We are aware that fire outbreaks can destroy homes, shops, and livelihoods in seconds. These new fire trucks, equipped with modern standards, will strengthen the state fire service’s capacity to respond faster across all nooks and crannies of the State.
“I, therefore, charge the Fire Service to complement these efforts by ensuring adequate training of its personnel, conducting public fire-safety sensitisation, and always keeping the equipment in serviceable condition.” The governor further emphasised that the assets distributed belong to the people of Zamfara State. “I direct all MDAs and beneficiaries to submit quarterly maintenance and utilisation reports to their respective reporting Offices. I want to emphasise that vandalism, misuse, or diversion will not be tolerated.”
Zamfara gov’t earmarks N7.2 billion for 375 community projects
The Zamfara Government had earmarked N7.2 billion for development projects in 375 communities across the state.
The programme is under the Nigeria Community Action for Resilience and Economic Stimulus (NG-CARES), a World Bank-funded project. Zamfara Deputy Governor Mani Mummuni disclosed this in Gusau on Tuesday while flagging off free project implementation training for participants from 158 communities across the state.
He said Governor Dauda Lawal had approved N7.2 billion for various community development projects through the State Community and Social Development Agency (CSDA). The deputy governor said the approval would finance 375 community development projects across the state’s 14 Local Government Areas. He said the projects cover health, education, water supply, agriculture, and drainage, among others. “They will be implemented by Community Project Monitoring Committees (CPMCs) under CSDA supervision,” he said.
Mr Mummuni reiterated the state government’s commitment to providing social amenities to vulnerable communities.
He urged participants to ensure transparency and accountability in managing resources for project execution in their communities. “This is part of Governor Lawal’s administration’s effort to extend the dividends of democracy to the people, especially at the grassroots level. “I believe this training under CSDA will encourage community participation in project implementation. “It will also promote transparency, accountability, and commitment to the development of your communities,” the deputy governor said.
In his remarks, the General Manager of CSDA, Umar Nakwada, said participants were drawn from CPMCs responsible for monitoring projects in their communities. Also speaking, the State NG-CARES Coordinator, Mukhtar Ibrahim, commended the Zamfara Government for supporting the livelihoods of vulnerable households.
Inclusive governance: Lawal appoints aide on sign language
Governor Dauda Lawal approved the appointment of Ibrahim Sani as Special Assistant on Sign Language Interpretation. Announcing the approval, the Secretary to the Zamfara State Government, Malam Abubakar Mohammad Nakwada, said the move is part of the administration’s commitment to inclusive governance.
The appointment will bridge communication gaps and enhance effective engagement between the government and Persons with Hearing Impairment in all government activities. The development also aligns with provisions of the State’s Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities Prohibition Law.
Malam Ibrahim Sani is a Certified Sign Language Interpreter and a Trained Special Education Teacher with over a decade of experience in teaching and disability-inclusion advocacy. He served at the School for Special Education, Gusau, from 2015 to 2023, where he held the position of Vice Principal Academics.
Mr. Sani holds a degree in Special Education and Rehabilitation Science from the University of Jos, and an N.C.E. in Special Education/English from the Federal College of Education (Special), Oyo.
He was Chairman of the Association of Sign Language Interpreters of Nigeria, ASLIN, Zamfara State Chapter, from 2018 to 2025, and currently serves as the Northwest Zonal Coordinator of ASLIN. Governor Lawal anticipates that the appointee will bring his wealth of experience to bear in advancing inclusivity and ensuring that Persons with Hearing Impairment have full access to information about government programs.
New Zamfara budget commissioner takes oath of office
Governor Dauda Lawal appointed Professor Yahaya Zakari as the Commissioner for the Ministry of Budget and Planning in Zamfara State. The appointment followed the swearing-in of Prof. Zakari earlier on Tuesday as a member of the Zamfara State Executive Council. Announcing the development, the Secretary to the State Government, Malam Abubakar Mohammad Nakwada, stated that Abdulmalik Gajam has been redeployed as the substantive Commissioner for the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology.
Governor Lawal has directed the affected Commissioners to assume duty in their respective ministries with immediate effect. He further charged them to bring renewed commitment, professionalism, and dedication to the effective delivery of government policies and programmes in line with the administration’s Rescue Agenda.
Mr Zakari is a distinguished scholar and administrator with over two decades of experience in academia, policy formulation, and public service. He served in various leadership capacities within the tertiary education system, including as the pioneer Vice Chancellor of the Zamfara State University, Talata Mafara (ZAMSUT).
Ministry inspects proposed Gusau Bypass road project
The Zamfara State Ministry of Works and Infrastructure deployed a team of technical engineers to conduct a technical assessment of the proposed Gusau Bypass Road project.
The Director of Civil Engineering, Engr. Tsalha Mayana, led the technical team for the inspection, according to a statement by the ministry’s information officer, Jamilu Tudu, yesterday.
The assessment covered the proposed route from Kuraje through Kwanar Rawayya, linking the Mahuta–Sokoto Road.
The exercise was to evaluate the proposed alignment and collect the technical data needed to prepare the project proposal.
During the exercise, the technical team inspected the proposed corridor, assessed the terrain, and identified key engineering requirements necessary for the successful planning and implementation of the bypass project.
The proposed Gusau Bypass is expected to ease traffic congestion within Gusau metropolis, improve connectivity, and enhance the movement of people and goods, in line with the infrastructure development agenda of Governor Dauda Lawal.
Youth-led action needed to combat drug abuse – First lady
The First Lady of Zamfara, Hajiya Huriyya Dauda Lawal, called for compassion, stronger partnerships, and youth-led action to combat drug abuse and illicit trafficking in the state. She made the comments while marking the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking.
Mrs Lawal stressed that drug abuse remained a health, social, and security challenge. She said the 2026 theme: “The World Drug Problem: Persisting Issues, New Challenges, Innovative Responses,” reflects Zamfara’s current reality.
“Drug abuse is not only a public health issue but also a serious social and security challenge that affects our families, our communities, and most importantly, our young people,” the governor’s wife said.
She expressed concern over the increasing use of synthetic drugs among young people and the connection between illicit drug trafficking, crime, violence, and insecurity.
Mrs Lawal urged parents, teachers, religious and traditional leaders, government institutions, security agencies, civil society organisations, and community members to take collective responsibility.
“We must educate our young people about the dangers of drug abuse and support efforts to curb illicit drug trafficking.
“We must also create positive opportunities for our youth and support those struggling with addiction instead of stigmatising them.
The engagement brought together the NDLEA, NAFDAC, NMA, journalists, parents, and community leaders to discuss Zamfara-specific challenges and the way forward.
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