Zango Local Government Empowers 252 Women, Strenthens Border Security
A total of 252 women were empowered by the Zango Local Government Council in Katsina State in the last two years.
The chairman of the Local Government Council, Alhaji Ahmed Babangida Aliyu Yardage, stated his while briefing members of the Correspondents' Chapel at his office in Zango.
He explained that the women received various starter packs that include sewing machines, goats, beans and cash assistance as well as capital to establish businesses.
"Of these 252 women, we selected fifty of them and gave them sewing machines and cash assistance to start tailoring business.
We gave another set of beneficiaries half a bag of beans each as well as vegetable oil and cash to start local 'awara' business and we have been monitoring them, so far they have been successful in this business.
"We also distributed a special breed of goats to women, these include young women, married women and widows to help them to operate livestock business from their homes.
"Each woman received four goats, and the breed is highly reproductive, therefore the goats will multiply within a short period of time.
"Women are vulnerable and whatever you give them, they know how to manage it and use it to assist their families, most of the women we empowered have been very successful in their business", Yardaje said.
On the intervention in safeguarding the 70km border between Zango Local Government Area and Niger Republic, the council chairman noted that the council has in the last two years partnered the Nigeria Customs Service, Immigrations and the police in safeguarding the border.
He noted that they have assisted the local vigilante group with various logistics to strengthen their collaboration with the security agencies to check cross-border crime.
"We trained our local vigilante groups and provided them with 75 Walkie Talkies, this is because communication is key to providing security.
"These vigilante members carry out routine patrol along the borders and in our communities, their effort is very instrumental in curbing drug abuse, thuggery, hooliganism and rape.
"In the last two years, we have witnessed great reduction in the spate of these crimes in Zango and environs", he said.
Yardaje also thanked Governor Dikko Radda for the ongoing expansion and comprehensive rehabilitation of the General Hospital in Zango town.
He explained that an initial sum of N450 million was earmarked for the project but the amount will be reviewed upwards to cover the effect of inflation and rising cost of construction materials.
The council chairman explained that so far, N200 million has been spent on the payment of compensation to house and land owners that will be affected by the expansion of the hospital.
He pointed out that compensation has been paid to 45 property owners in the hospital vicinity that include 32 house owners and 13 plot owners.
He said the council has also embarked on several road projects in the local government area including the road from Zango to Garni which is under renovation.
