Sokoto votes N1bn for life jackets, motorised boats

The Sokoto State Government has announced plans to spend N1.1 billion on the procurement of life jackets and motorised boats in a bid to curb the recurring cases of boat mishaps in the state.

This decision was reached during the state executive council meeting held on Wednesday at the Sokoto Government House, presided over by Governor Ahmed Aliyu.

Addressing journalists after the meeting, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs,Ibrahim Adare, revealed that the life jackets and boats will be distributed across 22 out of the 23 local government areas in the state, which have been prone to flood disasters.

“If you recall, a committee was set up to address the issue of flooding in the state. The committee submitted its report and identified that only Dange-Shuni Local Government Area was not affected by floods,” Adare said.

He explained that the government deemed it necessary to acquire motorised boats and life-saving jackets for the 22 flood-hit local governments, as part of efforts to ensure the safety of residents during emergencies.

In addition, the state government approved N565.2 million for the procurement of 12,376 bags of 25kg rice for distribution to the poor and vulnerable citizens in the state.

The council also greenlit the sum of N149.8 million for the completion of the terminal block at the Alu garage, a major transportation hub in the state.

These measures form part of the government’s broader response to tackling the challenges of flooding and improving the welfare of residents.