By Ankeli Emmanuel, Sokoto
Preparatory to the electioneering periods, the Sokoto State Executive Council has approved the purchase of 6 bulletproof vehicles for the office of governor Ahmed Aliyu at the cost of N1.47billion.
Addressing newsmen at the Government House shortly after the Council meeting, the State Commissioner of Transport, Alhaji Bala Kokani, itemised the vehicles to include three Land Cruisers, two Prado Land Cruisers 2025 model and one Coaster bus.
This, according to the commissioner has become sacrosanct in view of the fact that the governor is billed to commence tour of every part of the state in no distant time from now.
Hon. Kokani, who was a former National Assembly member for Kebbe/Tambuwal federal constituency also stated that the Council approved the procurement of two pay loaders for the Ministry of Environment to augment the ones used for the collection of solid wastes across Sokoto metropolis and its environs at the cost of over N340.5million.
While maintaining that the Council also approved the purchase of six new buses for the State Transport Authority (SSTA) at the cost of about N438million, Hon. Kokani clarified that this was out of the N500 million being generated as revenue by the agency.
On his part, the Commissioner of Finance, Engr. Muhammad Jabbi Shagari, said the Council approved the renovation of the International Conference Centre, Kasarawa which according to him was hitherto damaged by windstorm at the cost of N733.27million.
Reeling out some of the approvals, the State Commissioner of Youths and Sports, Engr. Mustapha Kofar-Marke, said over N1.079billion is to be expended for the complete renovation of the National Youths Service Corps (NYSC) Permanent Orientation Camp situated at Wamakko local government area of the State.
“This renovation has become very important hence since the then Governor, now Senator Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko built the camp during his administration over 12 years ago, it has never been given any facelift.
“The structures to be renovated include all the hostels, halls and offices, among others. This is just as the council approved the printing of 2026 Calendars and Dairies, at the cost of N67.94million and N71.218million, respectively”.
Wrapping up the briefing, the state commissioner for Lands and Housing, Barrister Nasiru Aliyu Dantsoho, said the council further approved the general renovation of 36 newly developed roads in Sokoto city and its environs at the cost of N2.2billion.
“This is in addition to the approval given for the execution of additional repair works at the Protocol Lounge of the Sultan Abubakar III International Airport, Sokoto, at the cost of over N894.67million.
and the general fencing of the Livestock Services Centre, located at Wamakko local government at the cost about N398.64million,” Barrister Dantsoho disclosed.
