In a move aimed at improving governance and addressing key issues, Katsina State has inaugurated several committees, including those focused on pension reform and forest management. The announcement was made by Malam Ibrahim Kalau, the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, in a statement released on Monday in Katsina.
The committees inaugurated by the Governor include:
- Treasury Single Account (TSA) Committee, with Mohammed Aminu-Isiyaku as Chairman.
- Pension and Gratuity Reforms Committee, headed by Dr. Faruq Aminu.
- Forest Management Committee, led by Alhaji Khalil Bako.
Each of these committees has been given a four-week deadline to submit their findings and recommendations to the state government.
The Treasury Single Account Committee comprises members such as the state’s Auditor General, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, the Technical Assistant to the Governor on Treasury, and the Accountant General of the state, among others.
The Pension and Gratuity Reforms Committee includes members like the Permanent Secretary of the Department of Establishment, Pensions, and Training, auditors-general from all local governments, the state Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), and the Director of Finance at the Ministry for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, among others.
The Forest Management Committee comprises representatives from various state ministries, including agriculture and justice, members of the House of Assembly, and the Katsina chapter of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON). Additionally, representatives from the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders’ Association and Kautal Hore Association, along with a secretary from the Governor’s Office, are also part of this committee.
The committees have been tasked with addressing several important issues. The TSA Committee is expected to provide suggestions on better implementing the TSA in the state. The Pension and Gratuity Reforms Committee will focus on resolving the recurring problems related to the non-payment of retirees’ pensions and gratuities. Meanwhile, the Forest Management Committee’s key role is to ensure that forest lands in Katsina are not converted into farming areas.
These initiatives demonstrate the state’s commitment to governance, accountability, and addressing critical challenges affecting its citizens.
