The Jigawa government has cleared a N1.4 billion contract to upgrade broadcasting infrastructure and build five community radio stations in the state.

Commissioner for Information, Youths, Sports and Culture Sagir Musa said this in a statement on Tuesday in Dutse.

He said the contracts covered installation of a 50KW Harris Digital AM transmitter at Jigawa Radio and 3KW FM transmitters for the five community FM stations in the Gumel, Gwaram, Hadejia, Kazaure and Ringim local government areas of the state.

Mr Musa said that the projects would expand broadcasting coverage and improve transmission quality, reliability and digital broadcasting standards.

He said that the state government also approved a four-year memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Malaria Consortium under the SARMAAN II Project to support malaria control efforts.

The commissioner said the Ministry of Health would sign the agreement on behalf of the Federal Ministry of Health, with support from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

“The SARMAAN II Project is designed to support efforts aimed at reducing the burden of malaria through strengthened programme implementation, technical support, capacity development, improved data use, and enhanced delivery of malaria interventions to communities and health facilities,” he said.

Mr Musa highlighted that the partnership would strengthen existing collaboration between the state government and development partners and contribute towards improving health outcomes, particularly child health.

He said that the government also approved immediate commencement of the 2026 Jigawa State Law Review Project presented by the Ministry of Justice.

According to Mr Musa, the project will review, reform, consolidate and modernise state laws, with the government approving its secretariat, steering committee and technical committee.

“The Ministry of Justice will work closely with the digital economy agency to provide the needed technical support necessary for the digitalisation, documentation, management and efficient review of the state’s laws,” he said.

Mr Musa said the state government approved procurement of equipment and digital resources required for the law review project.

He said the state government further approved expanding the previously approved solar panel assembly plant to include a Lithium Battery Energy Storage Assembly Plant.

“The inclusion of lithium battery energy storage assembly alongside the solar panel assembly operations will create an integrated renewable energy manufacturing platform,” he said.

He said that the ownership structure would remain unchanged, with the state government holding 49 per cent equity and TESNI Energy Limited holding 51 per cent.

He said the expansion would create skilled employment, provide technical training, and support businesses in the sector. 

(NAN)