The Sokoto State Executive Council, at its 6th regular meeting, approved over ₦1.975 billion for the procurement of fertiliser, seeds, pesticides, and other agro-allied chemicals to support wet season farming.
This was disclosed by the State Commissioner for Agriculture, Hon. Tukur Alkali, during a press briefing.
According to Alkali, ₦1.878 billion was earmarked for fertiliser procurement, which will be sold to farmers at subsidised rates. An additional ₦96.99 million was approved for the purchase of seeds, pesticides, and other agro-chemicals.
He further revealed that the Council approved the procurement of instructional materials worth ₦89.98 million for the State College of Agriculture, Wurno, to support its accreditation process—underscoring the government’s commitment to agricultural development and education.
In the education sector, the Commissioner for Basic Education, Professor Ahmed Ladan Ala, announced the approval of two major contracts: ₦475.77 million for the renovation of the Sokoto Educational Resource Centre and ₦69 million for the procurement of 460 sewing and netting machines for vocational training. The initiative is aimed at empowering youths with marketable skills.
Meanwhile, the Commissioners for Information and Transport, Hon. Sambo Bello Danchadi and Hon. Bala Kokani, respectively, announced that the Council approved ₦122.94 million for equipping a new library and two laboratories at the College of Nursing Science, Sokoto. Additionally, ₦261 million was approved for landscaping and the construction of pavement at the SSTA Motor Garage in Sokoto.
These approvals reflect the government’s integrated approach to boosting agricultural productivity, enhancing food security, investing in education, empowering youths, and improving infrastructure across the state.
By Mohammed Gazali
