Sokoto State Governor, Ahmad Aliyu, has approved N1.759 billion to purchase about 1,000 Bajaj motorcycles to fight insecurity in the state.

The vehicles will be disturbed to security forces in the state to improve security operations.

In a statement on Thursday, the director general of media and publicity, Abubakar Bawa, said the motorcycles would complement the 62 armoured vehicles procured by the state government at a cost of N27 billion and distributed to security agencies.

He said the motorcycles were intended to enhance the mobility of security agents, particularly in difficult terrains and communities affected by banditry.

Mr Bawa stated that it was part of efforts to provide security agencies with the necessary logistics to effectively tackle criminal activities.

“The procurement of the 1,000 motorcycles is aimed at complementing the recently procured armoured vehicles and enhancing the operational capacity of security agencies across the state.”

He also stated that N723.17 million was approved for the renovation of Government Technical College, Runjin Sambo.

The statement added that N498.99 million was approved for the rehabilitation of A.A. Raji Special School, N489.32 million for the renovation of Phase I of the College of Nursing Sciences, and N229.36 million for the renovation of male and female hostels at the College of Basic and Remedial Studies.

It noted that N174.64 million was approved for the renovation of staff quarters and upgrading of the perimeter fence at the College of Agriculture and Animal Science, Wurno.

Mr Bawa said that N133.67 million was approved for the construction of a perimeter fence at Wamakko Primary Health Centre and N93.88 million for the procurement of vocational learning equipment for 46 women’s vocational centres across the 23 local government areas.

He explained that the purchase of PVC pipes and plumbing fittings for the maintenance of 142 semi-urban water supply would gulp N90.21 million.

 He noted, “The government remains committed to implementing projects and programmes that will directly impact the lives of the people and contribute to the overall development of Sokoto State.”