September 03, (THEWILL) – Sokoto State Government has earmarked over twenty billion naira for palliatives, transportation, housing, and solar-powered streetlights among others in the State.
State Commissioner for Information, Hon. Danchadi Sambo, disclosed this while briefing Journalists after the State Executive Council held in the State.
Speaking on the affected sector, the State Commissioner for Lands and Housing, Hon. Nasiru Dantsoho, said the Council has approved the contract for the construction of 500 housing units in the State capital.
While giving the breakdown, Dansoho said 300 3-bedroom flats and 200 2-bedroom flats would be constructed in Kalambaina area, all within the state capital.
Dansoho further stated that the Government has also approved N1.8 billion for the construction, reconstruction and repairs of roads across Sokoto metropolis.
Also speaking, Alhaji Sanusi Danfulani, the State Commissioner for Energy and Petroleum Resources, revealed that the Council also approved the sum of N1.2 billion for phase 1 solar light installation across roads and streets in the State metropolis.
He said the solar-powered project will be executed within the Airport highway, Gidan Man Ada, Gawon Nama, Dan Dinma and Sahara roads.
The State Commissioner for Religious Affairs, Alhaji Jabir Mai-Hula, said the Government would spend the sum of N3.9 billion for the purchase of foodstuffs to cushion the effect of fuel subsidy removal in the State.
Mai-Hula said that the palliatives such as rice, grains and other relief measures were hinged after the Council declared a state of emergency in the food sector.
“The council has approved the purchase of 57,000 bags of 50kg of rice at the cost of N2.5 billion and 26,000 bags of 100kg of millet at N1.4 bn, making a total of N3.9 billion,” the Commissioner explained.
The Commissioner further explained that the palliatives would be judiciously distributed among vulnerable and indigent peoples across the State.
He added that the State Government, in collaboration with the Federal Government, has also approved the purchase and distribution of 44,000 bags of maize.
Speaking further, the Commissioner said the Government has also approved the sum of N3.4 billion for the purchase of 50 Toyota 18-seater buses and 20 Toyota Camry for commercial transportation.
According to him, the busses will be utilised for inter-state and local transportation, while the Toyota Camry will be reserved for intra-state transportation purposes and will be dedicated to only female passengers in the State.
On his part, Alhaji Bashir Umarun-Kwabo, the State Commissioner for Innovation and Digital Economics, said the Council has approved N2.6 billion for the purchase of two classes of 62 Toyota Hilux vehicles for security personnel in the State
He said 40 Toyota Hilux (2023 model) would be purchased for police divisional officers to ease their transportation, while 22 Toyota Hilux vehicles, Buffalo (2023 model) would be given for military operations to improve the security networks in the State.
About the Author
Tunde Omolehin is an award-winning Journalist with prose in investigative and storytelling that is connecting the dots between the under-reported communities and policymakers to ensure good governance and accountability.
