Jigawa govt suspends contractors over poor hospital, school feeding
Jigawa State Suspends Contractors for Food Quality Issues in Hospitals and Schools
The Jigawa State Government has suspended multiple contractors responsible for supplying food to state hospitals and boarding schools after a surprise inspection revealed significant deficiencies in service.
Hon. Auwal D. Sankara, the state Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs and Special Duties, announced the suspensions during inspections of various facilities on Tuesday. The inspections aimed to ensure adherence to welfare policies outlined by Governor Umar A. Namadi’s 12-Point Agenda.
Facilities inspected included Dutse General Hospital, Gwaram Cottage Hospital, Government Girls Unity Secondary School in Gwaram, and Bamaina Academy. During the visits, Commissioner Sankara noted that patients and students were provided with substandard meals, despite increased funding for feeding programs.
Sankara reported the suspension of Alhaji Sule Abdu, the contractor for hospital meals, along with the kitchen staff, due to issues related to food quality, incomplete deliveries, and unacceptable practices. Similar actions were taken against a contractor at Gwaram Cottage Hospital for what the commissioner termed a total failure in managing the feeding program.
At Bamaina Academy, Sankara expressed disappointment with the meal quality and indicated that a review of the feeding policy is forthcoming. He warned that future payments to contractors would be closely tied to service quality.
The state government plans to continue conducting surprise inspections, including nighttime visits, to ensure that food intended for patients and students meets established quality and quantity standards.
