By; SULEIMAN ADAMU, Sokoto In its bid to ensure continuity and completion of projects inherited from the immediate past government,
By; SULEIMAN ADAMU, Sokoto
In its bid to ensure continuity and completion of projects inherited from the immediate past government, Sokoto State Government has approved the completion of the Tashan Illela to More road block point on the FG highway at the cost of N2.4bn.
Similarly, worth over N2.7bn contracts for the renovation and rehabilitation of nine general hospitals in the state have been awarded to boost healthcare service delivery.
Briefing reporters at the end of the 11th state executive council meeting on Wednesday evening, the Commissioner for Lands, Housing and Survey, Barrister Nasiru Aliyu Dantsoho explained that the contract for the More-Illela road was awarded by Tambuwal’s administration was completed with an outstanding sum of M1.5bn owed the contractor who sank over 30% of the mobilisation to him.
“We had to ascertain the sum and what was required to fully complete the project. He has been paid his money which is part of the total of N2.4bn to enable completion in line with FG designed specification and standard”, Dantsoho said.
“It’s a FG project and upon completion, the state government will be refunded accordingly”, added Dantsoho who also disclosed the award of N394.7m contract for the establishment of a livestock serving centre in Wamakko town .
The commissioner explained that the essence was to further boost and improve livestock production and health.
“The project is consuming 300 hectares of land and is expected to be opened in 4 months”, he stated.
His Health counterpart, Faruk Abubakar Wurno explained that the nine general hospitals listed for the contracts include those of Gwadabawa, Silame, Binji, Wurno, Bodinga , Dogon Daji , Kebbe, Gada and Illela respectively.
” That of Illela which carries the highest amount of N590.2m is due to component works for the reconstruction of a burnt ward and another inherited abandoned ward under construction. The contract due had no variation and all works will be delivered in 6 months”, he explained.
Also, the Commissioner for Justice, Barrister Nasiru Aliyu Binji disclosed that the state executive council has due to breach of agreements, terminated the contract awarded for the renovation and rehabilitation of parts of the Sokoto Central Market affected by fire outbreak in 2021.
“The contract of the market will be re-awarded to a new company to immediately commence work accordingly”, he said.
Binji recalled that the contracts were awarded by Tambuwal’s administration to 36 different contractors to jointly execute within time specification to enable affected shop owners traders return to business.
” Unfortunately, only six of the contractors were able to commence work to a level above the 30% down payment made to them. The remaining 30 only collected mobilisation without doing anything.
” In fact, we have agreed following directive to the state investment company to analyse and ascertain the extend of work according to the recommendation of a committee constituted , decided to take the step.
” Most importantly , is that the contractors failed also to give reasons why they could not complete. Those who worked above the 30% would be paid their balance and those who did not do anything must return what was given to them or the state investment company would be directed to take legal action against them”, Binji explained.
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