Palliatives: Sokoto Govt to spend N3.7bn on rice, millets for residents

The Sokoto State Government has allocated about N4bn on food items to be distributed across the various local government areas as part of efforts to mitigate the effects of the removal of fuel subsidies on the residents.

The state governor, Ahmed Aliyu Sokoto, has approved the purchase of the items to be distributed, according to Sheikh Dr. Jabir Maihula, the commissioner for religious affairs, who gave a press conference in the council chamber following Friday’s first State Executive Council meeting.

The commissioner stated that “the State Executive Council members approved the purchase of 57,000 bags of 50kg rice at a cost of N2.508bn during its inaugural meeting.

“The council also gave the go-ahead to buy an additional 26,000 bags of millets weighing 100kg for N1.430bn“

He added that in addition to the previously mentioned items, the state and federal governments will jointly purchase 44,000 bags of maize.

According to him, the governor would nevertheless form a committee to oversee the distribution of the food aid among the state’s 23 local governments.

In the meantime, the state executive council authorized the purchase of 50 Toyota Hiace buses with 18 seats, model 2022, for N2. 8 billion.

Additionally, the state allocated more than N560 million for the purchase of 20 Toyota Camrys from the 2022 model, with the goal of providing transportation for women.

The vehicles would also be supported by another 10 buses that the BUA Group recently donated to the state, according to the state commissioner for religious affairs.