The Sokoto government has approved N20.3 billion for the purchase of vehicles for female-only taxis, food stuffs to cushion the effect of fuel subsidy removal and other projects in the state.

Jabir Mai-Hula, Commissioner for Religious Affairs, made this known to journalists after the maiden Executive Council meeting of the state on Friday in Sokoto.

Mr Mai-Hula said that the council has declared a state of emergency on the food sector.

“The council has approved the purchase of 57,000 bags of 50kg of rice at the cost of N2.5 billion and 26,000 bags of 100kg of millet at N1.4 bn, making a total of N3.9 billion.

“These are to be distributed across the state to cushion the effect of fuel subsidy removal and to ease the current economic hardship among the society,” he said.

The commissioner added that the state government, in collaboration with the federal, has also approved the purchase and distribution of 44,000 bags of maize.

He further said that the government has approved N3.4 billion for the purchase of 50 Toyota 18 seater buses and 20 Toyota Camry for commercial transportation.

According to him, the buses will be utilised for inter-state and local transportation, while the Toyota Camry will be reserved for only female transportation within the state.

Also speaking, Bashir Umarun-Kwabo, the Commissioner for Innovation and Digital Economic, said the council has approved N2.6 billion to purchase 66 Toyota Hilux.

Mr Umarun-Kwabo said the measure is part of the government’s desire and commitment to address security challenges in the state.

“Each Police Division across the 23 local government areas of the state will get a brand new Toyota Hilux, while the remaining will be distributed among the security outfits in the state,” he said.

On his part, Nasiru Dantsoho, the Commissioner for Lands and Housing, also revealed that the council has approved the construction of 500 Housing Estate.

He said the contract was approved at N7.4 billion for the construction of 300 number 3-bedroom flats and 200 number 2-bedroom flats at Kalambaina, Wamakko road.

Mr Dantsoho further stated that the government has also approved N1.8 billion for construction, reconstruction and various repairs of roads across the state.

Similarly, Sanusi Danfulani, the state Commissioner for Energy and Petroleum Resources, revealed that the council has approved N1.2 billion for phase 1 Solar light installation across roads and streets in the state metropolis.

(NAN)