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 a variation claim for the completion of the 38 kilometres Dogon Daji-Sabawa- Garba Magaji road in Tambuwal Local Government Area.
The state Commissioner for Information and Orientation, 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, Justice, Suleman Usman (SAN) and 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 accept the variation claim 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.
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 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 levels of the state; and, fast track development of a healthy population to enhance productivity.
In addition to this, the council approved a bill for a law to establish an incorporated body of the State College of Basic and Remedial Studies to enable it to 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 university admission and bridge the gap between 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 a military regime and doesn’t have 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.