Sokoto govt to spend N1.1bn on relief materials

The Sokoto State government has approved a contract of N1.1 billion to provide relief materials for the people of the state affected by the recent floods which ravaged about 22 out of 23 local government areas of the state.

The state government after its executive council meeting on Wednesday also approved the sum of N130 million to purchase life-saving jackets as well as motorised boats to be distributed in 22 out of 23 LGAs of the state.

These were part of the resolutions reached at the state executive council meeting held at the Government House on Wednesday.

Briefing newsmen shortly after the exco meeting, which was presided over by the state governor, Ahmed Aliyu, the state Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Alhaji Ibrahim Dade Adare, said the boats and the life jackets would be distributed to the 22 local government areas that experienced floods in the state.

He also explained that the relief materials which include rice, maize, buckets, spoons, and clothes among others are to be distributed to victims of floods in across the 22 local government areas of the state.

He said the total sum of the said contract stands at N1.131bn, which is part of the state government’s efforts to provide relief materials to the people of the state.

He stated, “If you could remember, a committee was set up to look at the issue of flooding in the state.

“The committee had submitted its report in which they mentioned that, out of the 23 local government areas in the state, only Dange-Shuni local government was not affected.

“It was in view of this that the state government deemed it necessary to procure motorised boats and life jackets and distribute them to the 22 local government areas that experienced flood this year.”

The state government also approved the sum of N565.2 million for the procurement of 12,376 bags of 25kg bags of rice for distribution to the poor and vulnerable in the state.

The council also approved the sum of N149.8 million for the completion of the terminal block at the popular Alu garage in the state.