The Sokoto State government has revoked contracts for the renovation of the Sokoto Central Market awarded to 36 different companies.

The market was destroyed by fire in 2021.

The state attorney-general and commissioner for justice, Nasiru Binji, disclosed this while briefing journalists on the outcome of the State Executive Council (SEC) meeting on Wednesday in Sokoto.

Mr Binji said the contracts were awarded in 2022 through the Sokoto Investment Company by the immediate past administration, with a 30 per cent down payment and an expected completion period of 10 months.

“Unfortunately, only six companies commenced work but later abandoned their sites, while the remaining 30 never mobilised to sites.

“The council, therefore, considered the report of the Sokoto Investment Company and resolved to terminate all the contracts,” he said.

Mr Binji added that the council directed the Sokoto Investment Company to assess the level of work done by the six contractors and settle their outstanding payments, “while the other 30 companies must immediately refund the 30 per cent mobilisation fees collected or face legal action.”

In another development, the commissioner for health, Faruk Wurno, announced that the council had approved N3 billion for the renovation of nine General Hospitals across the state.

He explained that the initiative is part of Gov. Ahmed Aliyu’s commitment to improving healthcare delivery.

He listed the hospitals to be renovated to include: General Hospital, Silame at N308.9 million, General Hospital, Gwadabawa at N292.9 million, General Hospital, Binji at N297.5 million and General Hospital, Kebbe at N315.4 million.

Others are: General Hospital, Wurno at N320.5 million, General Hospital, Bodinga at N267.7 million, General Hospital, Dogon-Daji at N331.2 million, General Hospital, Gada at N313.4 million and General Hospital, Illela at N519.2 million

Mr Wurno said the projects, awarded to various contractors, were expected to be completed within six months.

Similarly, the commissioner for lands, housing and survey, Nasiru Dantsoho, revealed that the council also approved the continuation of the construction of the Tashar Illela–More road project.

He said the project, billed to gulp N2.4 billion, was initiated by the previous administration, saying: “The same contractor has been retained to complete the work.”

(NAN)