Economic Hardship: Sokoto assembly endorses subsidised food items for residents

The Sokoto government had recently procured and disbursed foodstuffs to the state’s people at subsidised rates.

News Agency of Nigeria • October 25, 2024

Bags of rice used to illustrate the story

The Sokoto State House of Assembly has endorsed the continuation of subsidised food supply and other commodities to the state’s people.

The assembly also approved that a commendation letter be written to Governor Ahmed Aliyu for the steps taken to ameliorate the plights of the common people.

The state government had recently procured and disbursed foodstuffs to the state’s people at subsidised rates.

The approval of the letter followed a motion of urgent public importance presented by Abubakar Shehu (APC-Yabo) and seconded by Shehu Aliyu (APC-Wurno) during the assembly’s plenary session on Thursday.

Mr Shehu said the motion was driven by the governor’s efforts to mitigate the suffering of the people in the state.

“We are all aware that our nation is currently grappling with economic challenges, making it difficult for ordinary citizens to meet their daily needs.

“The rising cost of living has left many vulnerable members of society struggling to put food on the table,” he said.

Mr Shehu explained that the government has provided assorted rice at subsidised rates across the 244 wards of the state’s 23 local government areas.

“The governor has assured that the programme will be sustained as a revolving fund scheme, meaning the initiative will continue until further notice,” Mr Shehu added.

He said that during the project’s first phase, each 244 wards received 600 bags of 50 kg of rice, which was subsidised at N38,700, compared to the market price of N65,000 to N70,000.

“This subsidised foodstuff also includes 25 kg bags at N19,500 instead of N35,000 and 10 kg bags at N7,740 instead of N14,000 as launched by the governor.

“The gesture will greatly benefit the people and help stabilise market prices and ensure affordability,” Mr Shehu said.

The speaker, Tukur Bala, put the motion to a voice vote, and the members unanimously approved it.

In a related development, the assembly adopted a motion for the rehabilitation of livestock water pools in the Mayankan Rogo, Agge, and Na Gwamja communities in Goronyo LGA.

The motion, moved by Nasiru Adamu (PDP-Goronyo) and seconded by Abdullahi Zakari (APC-Rabah), highlighted the importance of the water pools for boosting socio-economic activities in the affected areas.

(NAN)

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