By Shafa’atu Suleiman, Sokoto
Sokoto State government has approved over N18 billion on various projects, including a federal road highway from Kajiji town to the Zamfara State boundary in Shagari Local Government Area.
The road rehabilitation project valued at N8.1 billion will be supervised by the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing and is expected to be completed within six months, adhering to the ministry’s specifications, according to the state Commissioner for Lands and Housing, Nasiru Aliyu Dantsoho.
While briefing journalists in Sokoto at the 11at Executive Council meeting, Dantosho said the project was contracted. Roads Nigeria Limited with federal government consent.
In addition to the highway project, the council also approved N56.3 million for connecting Lambar Hamma’ali to Chenawa with the national power grid.
“N109.8 million for renovating the state Remand Home, which was damaged by a windstorm. N1.3 billion partnership with Maigoriba for the Sokoto Girls Science Academy, granting the state government a 51 percent share in the school’s assets, valued at N2.8 billion.”
The Commissioner for Information, Sambo Bello Danchadi, also announced that N62.8 million has been approved for the construction of four boreholes with overhead tanks and generators for the State Fire Service to ensure water availability during the harmattan season. “N128.9 million for constructing 275 meters of drainage at the Shehu Shagari College of Education (SSCOE) to address waterlogging issues.
The Commissioner for Science and Technology, Bala Kokani Kebbe, disclosed contracts for renovating: Government Day Science School, Yabo (N1.4 billion) and Nagarta College, Sokoto (N1.3 billion). The Basic and Secondary Education Commissioner, Alhaji Tukur Alkali, detailed further education-focused projects, including to include repairs and renovation of Giginya Barracks and Shagari Command Secondary Schools at N425.6 million and N793.6 million, respectively, rehabilitation of Sultan Abubakar College, Sokoto (N958.8 million), renovation of Marafa Danbaba and Tudun Wada Model Primary Schools at N117.4 million and N883.3 million, respectively.
Alkali noted that contractors have already received 50 percent of payments to mitigate the effects of rising material costs and ensure timely project completion.
Governor Ahmed Aliyu reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to infrastructure developmen