By Sadeeq Muhammad Umar
Sokoto state executive council presided over by the state Deputy Governor, Manir Muhammad Dan Iya on Friday approved the sum of over N3.4 billion as variation claim for the completion of the 38 km Dogon Daji-Sabawa- Garba Magaji road in Tambuwal local government area.
The state Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Hon. Akibu Dalhatu stated this shortly after the state executive council meeting held at the Council Chamber of Government House, Sokoto.
The commissioner who was assisted at the briefing by his counterparts of Land and Housing, Aminu Bala Bodinga, Justice, Suleman Usman (SAN) and that of Budget and Economic Planning, Hassan Muhammadu Maccido, said the contract was awarded by the previous administration in 2013.
He explained that it was, however, abandoned, adding that if it is completed, it will link about 20 communities in the area.
According to him, the initial contract sum was over N2.3 billion. But its importance in the socio-economic scheme of things made the incumbent administration to accept the variation claim of brought by the contractor.
“After following due process the executive council approved the contractor’s claim. Now, the total sum of the contract is over N5. 8 billion,” Akibu said.
Similarly, the council approved the memo for the establishment of a Social Protection Policy in Sokoto state. The policy was developed by the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning in conjunction with the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF).
The aim of the policy is to provide a gender sensitive and age appropriate framework to ensure minimum social protection flow for all citizens of Sokoto state so that they can a live a life of dignity.
The council also discussed and approved the Food and Nutrition Policy, which memo received the blessings of international development partners, UNDP, UNICEF and UNFPA. It is aimed at addressing the problems of low nutrition and hunger at all level of the state; and, fast track development of a healthy population to enhance productivity.
In addition to this, the counci approved a bill for a law to establish an incorporated body of the State College of Basic and Remedial Studies to enable it provide due administration; and to give its establishment legal backing.
The college has been offering remedial courses in all ramifications, including matriculation, in order to prepare students for universities admission and bridge the gap of their low scores in their Senior Secondary School Examination, to enable them to get the minimum requirements for higher education.
Another bill to re-enact the establishment, constitution and function of Sultan AbdulRahman School of Health Technology, Gwadabawa, was deliberated upon.
According to Akibu, the preceding bill made in 1996 was a decree under military regime and doesn’t have a democratic ingredients of law making.
He said after the proposed re-enactment, the new bill will raise the status of the college, so that it will produce affiliate schools that are established in areas of health competencies so that the necessary manpower, major cadre and health professionals would be produced for the state and the country.
