By : Umar Faruk, Birnin Kebbi
Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi State - July 24, 2025 (Series News Online)
The Kebbi State Government is undertaking a major initiative to revive and modernize its Printing Press in Birnin Kebbi. Work is ongoing in earnest on the rehabilitation of structures and refurbishment of machinery to bring the facility up to global standards.
Governor Nasir Idris has approved a contract worth N283 million for the project, aimed at reviving the dormant industry and increasing revenue sources for the state. The Commissioner for Information and Culture, Yakubu Ahmed Birnin Kebbi, confirmed this during an inspection visit to the site on Thursday, accompanied by Permanent Secretary Sa'idu Buhari Warrah.
Commissioner Yakubu Ahmed Birnin Kebbi stated, "After years of dormancy, Governor Nasir Idris approved the N283 million contract for the complete rehabilitation of structures and overhaul of the machines." This move is expected to significantly enhance the printing press's operational capacity.
Kebbi State Director of the Printing Press, Bashar Shehu, guided the Commissioner through the various units of the department, explaining the functions of specific machinery and gadgets. Key items slated for refurbishment or replacement include the GTO machine, KORD machine, MO machine, Cutting machine, heavy Stitching machine, Rimming machine, and Perforating machine.
Director Bashar Shehu highlighted, "Governor Nasir Idris has approved the installation of new digital equipment to replace outdated models, including the Digital Direct Plate, Computer suppression machine, and Computer to Plate machine." This upgrade is poised to bring the printing press to modern standards.
The Information Commissioner, Yakubu Ahmed Birnin Kebbi, elaborated on the primary objectives, saying, "The primary objective is to revive the printing press to full operational capacity, some of the equipment will be refurbished, while obsolete others incapable of fitting into the modern era will be replaced." He added, "The Governor's vision and target are centred on providing Kebbi with a printing press of global standard, modern quality printer."
Commissioner Yakubu Birnin Kebbi also emphasized the importance of safeguarding government secrets and confidentiality, stating, "Another key objective for the resuscitation of the printing press is to safeguard government's secret and confidentiality. In a situation where government has to use alternative sources for printing of sensitive documents, compromises confidentiality which the administration is keen to avoid."
The timeframe for completing the project is set at between two and three months. Commissioner Yakubu Birnin Kebbi expressed confidence in Director Bashar Shehu's capability, noting that additional staff would be recruited and trained to operate the new equipment. He also announced plans for similar refurbishment of the State History Bureau, one of the four units under the Ministry for Information.
Tags
Infrastructure