From Umar Danladi Ado, Sokoto
Disturbed by the hardship experienced by the public, the Sokoto State Government has earmarked N14 billion for the purchase of 300 trucks of assorted rice for onward sale to the public at subsidized rates across the state.
The State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Alhaji Ibrahim Dadi Adare, stated this while briefing newsmen on the outcome of the 6th state exco meeting of the year presided over by Governor Ahmed Aliyu held at Sokoto Government House Chamber, Wednesday.
Adare said the state executive council meeting approved the award of the contract for the purchase of the rice to Katuru and Partners Cooperation Limited at the cost of N14 billion.
The decision was resolved by the State government to ease the untold hardship being encountered by people in the state.
He maintains that the rice will be sold across the 23 local government areas while each of 244 wards in the state will get one truck of rice for sale to people at 40 -45 per cent subsidized rates.
According to him, the exercise is jointly sponsored by the State government in collaboration with local government areas.
The rice will be sold to the people I respect of their political party inclination.
The commissioner assures that the rice would be packaged in 50,25 and 10 kilograms, depending on the needs of buyers.
According to him, various committees will be established soon to monitor the conduct of the exercise.
On his part, the state commissioner for Lands and Housing, Barrister Nasiru Dantsoho, said a contract for the rehabilitation of two bridges at Kebbe has been approved and awarded at a cost of over N341million and N451million respectively, to Roads Nigeria.
The works of the two bridges are scheduled to be completed in two months with a 30 per cent down payment.