𝙂overnor 𝘽ello 𝙈atawalle’s 𝘿evelomental 𝙄nnitiatives

Contrary to the old norm when there was nothing to keep pace with the modern world and its social and economic challenges, Governor Bello Matawalle in pursuit of lofty developmental goals sets Zamfara on the path to prosperity by initiating programmes and assenting to laws that seek to resuscitate Zamfara from the deliberately induced coma. Governor Bello Matawalle also indefatigably hunts for economic interventions from Federal MDAs and other NGOs struggling to satisfy all criteria and conditions and even stooping low in humility to lobby them. Some of the initiatives of Governor Matawalle include among others:

1. ZAMDACOD

Zamfara Directorate of Accelerated Cotton Development which is charged with the responsibility of reviving the past glory with which Zamfara was known as epicentre of cotton production. In its bid to realize this goal, the Zamfara state government earmarked 130,000 hectares for cotton production under the CBN and state government intervention agreement which saw the enrolment of 60,000 cotton farmers for the programme. The Directorate is currently working on workable modalities to revive ginneries in the state. The Directorate has distributed free assorted cotton seeds and other soil fertilising agents to the selected farmers.

2. MINISTRY OF HUMANITARIAN AND DISASTER MANAGEMENT

In his relentless effort to alleviate the suffering of the Internally Displaced Persons and general disaster management related to overwhelming effects of climate change, Governor Bello Matawalle established the Directorate of Humanitarian and Disaster Management and later elevated to Ministry under the able leadership of Hajiya Fa’ika Ahmad Marshal.

3. DIRECTORATE OF STRATEGY AND DEVELOPMENT

To give the government a sense of direction by devising strategic planning, Governor Bello Matawalle created Directorate of Strategy and Development and entrusted its management to the capable hands of exuberant and passionate Special Adviser, Gazali Shehu Ahmad.

4. ZAMCHEMA

Zamfara Contributory Healthcare Management Agency. This agency is a replica of National Health Insurance Scheme, its miniature at the state level established under the Zamfara State Healthcare Management Law Number 4 of 2019 with the aim of regulating health insurance in Zamfara. Part of its mandate is to ensure healthcare coverage from private and public sectors. It is in compliance to the requirements for the establishment of this agency that the state government has constructed 147 dispensaries in every ward in the state.

5. ZITDA

For the first time in history, Zamfara State government under the leadership of Governor Bello Matawalle has exhibited uncommon commitment to the development of Information Technology by creating Zamfara Information Technology Development Agency (ZITDA) replicating the National Information Technology Development Agency at the national level. The ZITDA is mandated to plan, coordinate and execute programmes for the development of Information Technology in Zamfara State in order to join in the global race for IT development for economic growth.

6. CARE FOR 34,000
   This is a healthcare intervention under the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund for which Governors Bello Matawalle facilitated with N100,000000 counterpart funding.
7. BILLS
   Governor Bello assented to three bills passed by the State Assembly into law. The bills are:

(a) The Consolidated Revenue Law. The bill is to regulate fiscal policy and generate revenue for the state by blocking loopholes and diversion of levies and taxes to private pockets and insuring accountability and transparency in the management of public funds.

(b) The Bureau of Public Procurement Law. This is going to monitor and regulate public procurements in contract awards and ensure strict compliance to procurement specifications. The bill ensures transparency in tender and prior advertisements through publication and sensitization on principles of contracts and executions for the contractors.

(c) The establishment and management of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Zamfara. In its bid to realize the 17 goals of the SDGs, Zamfara state Governor assented to SDG law to accelerate economic and social growth in the state.

8. IPSAS which stands for International Public Sector Accounting Standards is an accounting framework used by public sector entities around the world to ensure accountability and transparency in accruals has been assented to by His Excellency Governor Bello Matawalle.

Zamfara State Government under the able leadership of his Excellency Governor Bello Matawalle has done a lot to run its financial management on IPSAS framework from 2019 to date.

Looking at the activity log for IPSAS, the previous administrations wasted so much time on foundational phase skipping years doing nothing to perfect it. From 2012 when the IPSAS working committee was formed, whole three years elapsed before the commencement of IPSAS codes production in 2015 and from then two more years before training of senior level officers and middle level officers in 2017 and 2018 respectively.

Taking the reigns of power in 2019, Governor Bello Matawalle worked to ensure transparent financial management by pushing to complete the process by engaging stakeholders and converting the 2017/18 financial statements to IPSAS. The year 2020 witnessed the formal adoption of the IPSAS, conversion of 2020 budget to the IPSAS, training of Finance Directors, procurement of computers for MDAs, preparation of 2021 budget on IPSAS pattern and sensitization of State Executive Council and other financial signatories on the IPSAS requirements.

Zamfara State government also published its budgets on its website as manifestation of its commitment to financial transparency and prudence.

Ibrahim Bello Zauma
Director General, New Media
Government House Gusau
20/02/2022