Governor Aliyu Approves N20.3bn As Palliative in Sokoto

By Isah Aliyu Chiroma

The Sokoto State Government has approved N20.3 billion for the purchase of food stuffs to cushion the effect of fuel subsidy removal and other projects in the state.

Alhaji Jabir Mai-Hula, the state Commissioner for Religious Affairs, made this known to newsmen after the maiden State Executive Council meeting on Friday in Sokoto. Mai-Hula said the council has declared a state of emergency on the food sector.

“The council has approved the purchase of 57,000 bags of 50kg rice at the cost of N2.5 billion and 26,000 bags of 100kg millet at N1.4 billion, making a total of N3.9 billion.

“These are to be distributed across the state to cushion the effect of the fuel subsidy removal and to ease the current economic hardship among the society,” he said.

The commissioner added that the state government, in collaboration with the Federal Government, has also approved the purchase and distribution of 44,000 bags of maize.

He further said the government has approved N3.4 billion for the purchase of 50 Toyota 18-seater buses and 20 Toyota Camry for commercial transportation.

According to him, the buses will be utilized for inter-state and local transportation, while the Toyota Camry will be reserved for only female transportation within the state.

Also speaking, Alhaji Bashir Umarun-Kwabo, the state Commissioner for Innovation and Digital Economic, said the council has approved N2.6 billion for the purchase of 66 Toyota Hilux.

Palliatives: Abiodun flags off distribution of 300,000 bags of rice palliatives
Umarun-Kwabo said the measure is part of the government’s desire and commitment to address security challenges in the state.

“Each Police Division across the 23 local government areas of the state will get a brand new Toyota Hilux, while the remaining will be distributed among the security outfits in the state,” he said.

On his part, Alhaji Nasiru Dantsoho, the state Commissioner for Lands and Housing, revealed that the council has approved the construction of 500 housing units.

He said the contract was approved at N7.4 billion for the construction of 300 3-bedroom flats and 200 2-bedroom flats at Kalambaina, Wamakko road.

Dantsoho stated that the government has also approved N1.8 billion for construction, reconstruction and various repairs of roads across the state.

Similarly, Alhaji Sanusi Danfulani, the state Commissioner for Energy and Petroleum Resources, revealed that the council has approved N1.2 billion for phase 1 solar light installation across roads and streets in the state metropolis.