Sokoto Govt Approves  Hospital Upgrades, Road repairs, Terminate Market Contracts

By MG Gazali.

The Sokoto State Executive Council at its 9th regular meeting approved several significant projects aimed at improving healthcare, infrastructure, agriculture, and contract management in the state. 

The approvals were announced during a press briefing at the council chamber in which some commissioners provided details of the resolutions.

Nine general hospitals across Sokoto are set for renovation with contracts awarded worth billions of naira.

The Commissioner for Health, Dr. Faruk Umar Wurno, highlighted the breakdown of costs for each hospital.

This includes General Hospital Silame at ₦308,784,927.57, General Hospital Wamakko at ₦292,946,090.93, General Hospital kware at ₦350,409,850 .94, General Hospital Goronyo ₦331,216,583.75, General Hospital Binji at ₦297,554,496, General Hospital Gada at₦313,367,123 General Hospital Wurno and General Hospital Illela at ₦590,205,644.63 – the latter having a higher budget due to additional components in its renovation.

According to him, the state government aims to improve healthcare services through these renovations. The projects are part of the state's efforts to boost infrastructure and services.

Work on the Tesha–Illela - More road will continue with an additional ₦2.4 billion allocated to ensure speedy completion. This project, inherited from the previous administration, will now be completed by retaining the original contractor.

Additionally, the demarcation of a 300-hectare Livestock Services Centre in Huchi, Wamakko, to offer veterinary services and training for young people in animal husbandry has been approved by the council. The project was awarded at the cost of ₦394,775,325.00 and is expected to be delivered within four months.

Following an investigation into abandoned contracts at the Sokoto Central Market post a 2021 fire, the council terminated contracts with _36 companies_ that were awarded the renovation.

The State Commissioner for Justice, Barrister Nasiru Muhammad Binji, reported that less than six contractors are owed money while over 30 firms are indebted to the government. 

The council there fore directed the Sokoto Investment Company to pay owed contractors, recover funds from defaulting contractors, and initiate criminal proceedings against those who fail to refund.

 According to the Commissioner,new contracts will be awarded to credible contractors for the timely completion of the market renovation project. The Executive Council stressed that projects must adhere to timelines, emphasizing zero tolerance for delays or breaches.