By Muhammad Nasir
Sokoto June 18, 2021
The Sokoto State Executive Council has approved a draft supplementary budget bill of N27 billion, which will be forwarded to the state assembly for ratification.
This is contained in a statement issued to newsmen on Friday in Sokoto by Muhammad Bello, the Special Adviser Media and Publicity to Gov. Aminu Tambuwal.
This is as Gov. Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State announced plans by the State Government to protect and encourage informants in order to boost security operations across the state.
Tambuwal also hinted that his administration is working out modalities to give protection to informants of security outfits on the myriads of criminal activities taking place in their domains.
Muhammad Bello, in his statement on the state’s supplementary budget bill, said that the state executive council also approved plan by the state government to secure N1.66 billion loan from Zenith Bank to settle its counterpart funds for 2020 and 2021 UBE projects.
“In view of this, the sum of over N715 million will be secured for 2020 while the sum of over N946 million will be secured for 2021 UBEC intervention and the facility will be paid back in 12 months.”
Bello also said that the council approved the upgrade of ongoing works for the new Sports complex from 4,700-seats capacity to 11, 000 seats, at the cost of over N781 million.
“The cost of the contract was initially over N1.25 billion, but with the new development it will now be over N2.32 billion.”
He said, “The council also approved the state Child Protection Bill after its deliberation with a view to forwarding it to the state Assembly for consideration.”
He recalled that the state government had constituted a high-powered committee under the leadership of Wazirin Sokoto to ensure that the bill conforms with the religious norms and values of the state.
The council also reviewed the COVID-19 pandemic in the state, noting that for the past 102 days the state has not witnessed any case of the virus.
“Since the outbreak of the disease, over 15,000 tests were conducted out of which 775 cases were found to be positive.
“Moreover, over 27,000 people have been vaccinated with the first dose of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine, while the second dosage of the vaccine has commenced with over 12,000 people vaccinated,” Bello added.
In his statement issued on an informants’ protection strategy, Mr. Bello said that Tambuwal dropped the hint when he received the new General Officer Commanding (GOC), 8 Division of the Nigerian Army, Maj.-Gen. Usman Yusuf, in Sokoto.
According to him, “the State government is working on how protection will be given to people who give key information to security personnel, because people are scared of giving useful information.
“We have had instances that the identity of people who give information to the security outfits is known to the criminals. That doesn’t help matters.
“So, we have evolved ways of protecting those who collaborate with the government,” he emphasised just as he appealed for continued synergy between security services,
“This is because synergy is key and important in the fight against insecurity,” he said.
The governor urged the Federal Government to fast track the deployment of technology and more equipment, and also pay attention to the welfare of security personnel.
“It is not rocket science. All of these are factors militating against the effective and full counter to what the criminals are doing.
“Not only here in Sokoto state, but all over Nigeria. We need more boots on the ground. We need more modern equipment and welfare for the officers,” he suggested.
He observed that the rainy season has set in and it is always difficult for security personnel to function optimally.
“You need stronger vehicles and logistics support for your officers,” he said and promised to discuss with the military high command on the issues.
Harping on the cordial relationship with the Nigerian Army and that of other security agencies in the state, Tambuwal said: “We have been working together for the reestablishment of peace and security in Sokoto state.”
He added that “from the inception of the 8 Division, the state government under my watch has been able to support the establishment of that Division, under President Muhammadu Buhari, by first, providing you with the land on which it is situated today; and also some houses for your officers; and such other supports we were able to make”.
In the same vein, he noted that operational support would also be given to the new GOC for him to succeed in the discharge of his constitutional duties.
“Your success is our success. The success of every security outfit here in Sokoto is our collective success, because we are all in it together,” he stressed.
“Security is the business of everyone, how much more the leadership of government.
“I assure you that we will continue to support you and all our traditional leaders under the able leadership of His Eminence, the Sultan, and the Sokoto citizenry, will continue to give you every support that you require,” Tambuwal assured.
