The Jigawa State Government has formally opened bids for the construction of a new Emir’s Palace in Dutse, in a move aimed at strengthening traditional institutions and preserving the rich cultural heritage of the state.
Speaking during the bid opening exercise on Thursday, the Chairman of the Ministerial Tender Committee and Permanent Secretary, Administration and Finance, Office of the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Alhaji Abdullahi Sa’idu, said the project reflects Governor Umar Namadi’s unwavering commitment to the development of traditional institutions as critical partners in promoting peace, stability and social cohesion.
According to him, the governor has demonstrated keen interest in the construction of the palace, which is expected to stand as a symbol of the history, culture and prestige of the Dutse Emirate.
Sa’idu disclosed that renovation works at the Hadejia Emir’s Palace are already progressing steadily, adding that the successful execution of the project would pave the way for the commencement of the new Dutse Emir’s Palace.
He stressed the need for strict adherence to contractual timelines, urging members of the technical evaluation committee to expedite the assessment process to ensure the project takes off without delay.
“The timely completion of this project is essential, not only for infrastructure development but also for strengthening traditional governance structures that continue to play vital roles in community development and conflict resolution,” he said.
The Director-General of the Due Process and Project Monitoring Bureau, Professor Kasim Muhammad, assured all participating contractors of a transparent, fair and competitive procurement process.
Represented by Abbas Abubakar Umar, he reiterated the government’s commitment to quality and value for money, warning that substandard execution would not be tolerated under any circumstances.
He urged contractors to uphold professionalism and deliver projects that meet the highest standards, in line with the administration’s infrastructure development agenda.
Speaking on behalf of the bidders, Alhaji Buhari Abubakar commended the Office of the Secretary to the State Government for ensuring a transparent bid-opening process and pledged that participating companies would maintain integrity and excellence throughout the project cycle.
The exercise was witnessed by representatives of civil society organisations and other stakeholders, underscoring the government’s commitment to accountability, transparency and public participation in the execution of major development projects.
The proposed palace project is expected to further enhance the status of the Dutse Emirate while preserving the cultural identity and traditional values that remain central to the state’s development aspirations.
Ibrahim Shuaibu
