We have consistently maintained that our mission is sustainable values of Sokoto State in good governance.? As media practitioners our professional responsibility is dissemination of information with incontrovertible facts obtained from authentic sources on the equitable and focused distribution of the common wealth.? Government is not about physical share of resources.? The masses benefit through projects that touch on their daily living which stimulate economic and social enrichment.? Responsibility thrust on us is deliberate creation of mutual understanding through dissemination of information of avenues which government strives to fulfill the partnership with the electorate.
Governor Wamakko once said “our focus and policy directive will be anchored on the objectives of poverty reduction, wealth creation and educational empowerment.”? He called that proclamation a partnership with Sokoto people.? Thus, it becomes apposite to showcase how he goes about implementation of the policy in presentation of his periodic score-card to the public.? A specialist in public administration, his professional thinking shall challenge colleagues in the field.? No wonder he established a School for Developmental Studies as a model to be emulated.? Development experts are availed ample data of professional assessment while the masses feel the pulse of governance.? Every project embarked upon by government has peoples’ yearning to close up or “demand meet” in which context this piece craves careful perusal, in overall poverty reduction policy.
The administration of Governor Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko (Sarkin Yamman Sokoto) in 2012 (7 months old) has awarded contracts for a number of projects aimed at improvement of critical sub-sectors of the economy.? It awarded contract for renovation of the State High Court Complex at a cost of N84,890,522.35.? This project when completed will conduce for quick and effective administration of justice in the State.
Sokoto State is predominantly Islamic being the administrative headquarters of the great Sheikh Usmanu Danfodiyo, the founder of Sokoto Caliphate.? Sokoto is also transit camp for pilgrims from Kebbi, Sokoto and Zamfara States who use Sultan Abubakar III International Airport for pilgrimage to the Holy Land.? The Camp has often faced battering of heavy wind storm annually.? Consequently, the administration of Governor Wamakko awarded contract for its rehabilitation and upgrading to the tune of N495,741,947.19.? This project when completed shall provide necessary comfort to every muslim that utilizes it.
In the area of education Governor Wamakko’s administration has pumped huge resources to aggressively address this sector in 2012.? The State University has made tremendous leap in development of critical infrastructure.? Within the year the administration has awarded contract to the tune of N991,514,831.21 for furnishing of male and female hostels, senate and faculty buildings, library, laboratory, Vice Chancellor’s and Deans’ residences, mosque, clinic and fire service station at the University.???????
Also, the administration awarded contract for provision of 2 number 200 KVA generating sets, 20 number 500 KVA transformers and electrical overhead network at the School of Developmental? Studies at a cost of N48,992,912.70 and another contract for Double Surface Road at the School to the tune of N46,727,429.11.? For the same School government awarded contract for provision of Utility Vehicles at a cost of N41,302,800.00.
Still in the area of improvement of education government awarded contract to the tune of N306,737,779.00 for construction of Boarding Primary School at Kware; construction of Boarding Primary School at Illela to the tune of N306,737,789.00 and another Boarding Primary School at Shagari to the tune of N306,737,779.00.? The Boarding Primary School system is fashioned in a way that the three senatorial zones of the State shall benefit as a policy of even distribution of social amenities.
In the same vein the state government awarded contract for supply of sporting materials/physical facilities to all schools in the state for development of sports and physical wellness at the grassroots to the tune of N49,864,500.00.
In furtherance of development of the rural areas Governor Wamakko’s administration awarded contract to the tune of N194,075,958.00 for construction of Gidan Dare-Kalambaina road (3km); rehabilitation of Gwadabawa township roads at a cost of N389,171,328.12.? It also awarded contract for provision of 5 number complete package motorized rural water scheme at Gada, Shagari, Dange Shuni and Wamakko local government areas to the tune of N45,000,000.00.? It further awarded contract for provision of Solar Street lighting system in Gwadabawa (3.1km) at a cost of N49,989,360.76 and provision of Solar Light in Gwadabawa town from Jumu’at Mosque to Yan-Alewa (1.8km), Yan’Lalewa junction to main road (0.5km), Bakin Kasuwa-Gidan Danmani (1.2km) to the tune of N49,218,729.60.
The State Government also awarded contract for purchase of transformers for rural electrification to the tune of N127,627,500.00 and electrification of Atakwanyo from Gwadabawa town to the tune of N46,324,648.79.
To ease transportation problem of commuters government awarded contract for supply of 25 number 15 seater buses at a cost of N147,000,000.00.
The administration also awarded contract for construction of boreholes, ground elevated water tanks, external reticulation and fire hydrant materials for schools to the tune of N45,495,941.34.
Sokoto State Government awarded contract for supply of 5 number New Model Ambulances to 5 number upgraded Primary Healthcare to General Hospital at Sabon Birni, Shagari, Balle, Gwadabawa and Goronyo.? It also awarded contract for repairs and renovation of burnt students hostels at Sultan AbdurRahman School of Health Technology, Gwadabawa at a cost of N46,632,230.95; supply and installation of medical furniture and equipment to Primary Healthcare upgraded to General Hospital at Goronyo, Sabon Birni and Gwadabawa at a cost of N113,923,600.00.
To complement capacity of certain agencies in the state in close collaboration the state government awarded contract for supply and installation of communication equipment to the Nigeria Police Force, Sokoto State Command at a cost of N129,140,000.00; rehabilitation and completion of boundary wall fence and renovation of main office of the Nigerian Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) to the tune of N127,000,000.00.? The administration further awarded contract for supply and installation of security and convoy equipment for Government House and a 60 number police vans to the tune of N100,017,020.00.
The federal agencies, police and drug, the administration intervened in their operation capacity building, in our opinion, are critical in the poverty reduction policy.? Security of lives and property are citizens’ rights to go about their businesses unmolested.? Abuse of drugs is inflicting colossal damage on our youth.? If the trend is not stalled the society may have unproductive and violent youth that shall create enormous social problems for everybody.? Drug abuse is becoming very ruinous to the fabric of economic and social life of our youth who are leaders of tomorrow.
?We, therefore, commend Governor Wamakko for addressing critical areas of need of the people of Sokoto State.
— Umar, the president, Sokoto Liberal Democrats Media Foundation (SOLID), wrote in from Sokoto State
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