The Sokoto State Government said it has earmarked over N20bn on food, transportation, and housing among others in the state.
It said this was part of efforts to cushion the effects of the high cost of food items and transportation due to the recent removal of the fuel subsidy on residents of the state.
The Commissioner for Religious Affairs, Sheikh Jabir Maihula, who disclosed this shortly after the inaugural state executive council meeting, said the State Governor, Ahmed Aliyu Sokoto, approved the purchase of items to be distributed.
He said, “The state executive council members in their inauguration meeting have approved the purchase of 57,000 bags of 50kg rice at the cost of N2.5bn. The council also approved the purchase of another 26,000 bags of 100kg millets at the cost of N1.4bn.”
He said the said items also included another 44,000 bags of maize which would be purchased by the state government in conjunction with the Federal Government.
He explained that the governor would, however, set up a committee that would monitor the distribution of the foodstuffs across the 23 local government areas of the state.
Meanwhile, to make transportation easier for residents, the state executive council also approved the purchase of 50 18-seater Toyota Hiace buses at the cost of N2.8bn.
It also earmarked over N560m for the purchase of 20 Toyota Camry vehicles, 2022 model, aimed at providing transportation for women in the state.
The commissioner further explained that the vehicles would also be supported by another 10 buses donated to the state by the BUA group recently.
On his part, the Commissioner for Innovation and Digital Economy, Alhaji Bashir Umarun-Kwabo, said the council approved N2.6bn for the purchase of 66 Toyota Hilux vehicles.
Umarun-Kwabo said the measure was 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 added.
The Commissioner for Lands and Housing, Alhaji Nasiru Dantsoho, revealed that the council approved the construction of 500 housing estates.
He said the contract was approved at N7.4bn for the construction of 300 three-bedroom flats and 200 two-bedroom flats at Kalambaina, Wamakko Road.
Dantsoho further stated that the government approved N1.8bn for construction, reconstruction, and various repair of roads across the state.
Similarly, the state Commissioner for Energy and Petroleum Resources, Alhaji Sanusi Danfulani, said the council approved N1.2bn for the first phase of solar light installation on roads and streets within the state.
