Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani, has signed bills to promote trade and empower unemployed youths in the state, among others, into law.

Among them is the law to Make Provisions for the Development of Tech-Enabled Start-Ups in the State, and Other Related Matters, 2023.

A statement issued, yesterday, by the Chief Press Secretary, Muhammad Shehu, explained: “Objective of the legislation is to create an enabling environment for the development of start-ups by streamlining government and private sector initiatives to create more job opportunities, improve production and advance innovation and trade in Kaduna.

“The Kaduna State Council for Digital Innovation and Entrepreneurship has been established and will be chaired by the Deputy Governor, Hadiza Balarabe, with the Commissioners for Business and Innovation, Finance, Planning and Budget and other relevant departments of government as members.”

According to him, the council is to, among others, issue frameworks for the establishment and operation of start-ups and innovation clusters, give overall directives for the harmonisation of laws and regulations that affect start-ups, review policies and directives of ministries, appoint fund managers and carry out such functions that are incidental or necessary to the development of start-ups in Kaduna.

Another law enacted by the government is, a Law to Repeal the Kaduna Investment Promotion Agency Law, No. 17 of 2015 and to enact the Kaduna Investment Promotion Agency Law, 2023 and for Other Matters Connected Therewith.

Shehu stated: “The purpose of the law is essentially to reposition the state’s investment drive through the provision of a regulatory framework for investment promotion and to most, importantly, allow for investments through public-private partnerships with the introduction of a new Part V, Sections 23-32, which was not provided in the old law.

“Other bills signed into law by Governor Sani include a Law to Amend the Provisions Relating to Fines and Penalties in Laws of Kaduna State 2023. The purpose of the law is to amend fines and penalties in the various laws of Kaduna to bring them in conformity with the reforms and present reality.”

There is also a law to Make Provision for Public Health in the State and for Other Related Purposes 2023, designed to improve public safety from threats to health, prevent diseases and strive for a healthy population. The law has increased certain standards in the area of food and safety, occupation health and safety, with reviewed sanctions for contravention.

“A Law to Provide for a Social Security Scheme in the State and for Connected Matters, 2023 was also enacted. The purpose of the law is to institutionalise social investment programmes by providing a social safety net that will help to reduce poverty, assist indigent individuals and ensure all residents of the state have access to effective, quality and affordable healthcare.”