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Tag: Sokoto Assembly

  • Sokoto Assembly passes N89.9bn Supplementary Budget

    Sokoto Assembly passes N89.9bn Supplementary Budget

    The Sokoto State House of Assembly on Thursday passed the 2024 Supplementary Budget of N89.9 billion for the state.

    This followed the consideration of the report presented by the House Committee on Finance and Appropriation during plenary session.

    Presenting the report, the committee’s chairman, Alhaji Abdullahi Zakari, (APC-Rabah), said the development was in consideration of Gov. Ahmed Aliyu’s request presented at the Assembly on Tuesday.

    “The bill was presented on the floor on Tuesday. Due to its importance to the state’s services, however ,it received both its first and second readings promptly,” he said.

    Zakari said that the committee observed that the request for the 2024 appropriation budget was prompted by an additional inflow of revenue to the state’s coffers.

    He said, “The proposed supplementary inflow includes statutory allocation/VAT, infrastructural development funds from the Federal Government, FGN/State Debt Swap, signature bonuses, and goods and valuable consideration.

    “The supplementary budget affects the ministries of Land and Housing, Religious Affairs, Agriculture, Health, Humanitarian Affairs, Water Resources, Finance, and Women Affairs.”

    He noted that the committee recommended the estimated amount, of N7 billion in recurrent expenditures and N82.9 billion in capital expenditures, to stand as part of the bill’s schedule.

    Zakari stated that the committee neither added to nor reduced the proposed supplementary budget.

    Following contributions from various lawmakers, the Speaker, Alhaji Tukur Bala, put the motion to a voice vote, which the Assembly unanimously adopted.

  • Sokoto Assembly laments arbitrary sale of petrol

    Sokoto Assembly laments arbitrary sale of petrol

    The Sokoto State House of Assembly has adopted a matter of urgent public importance regarding the arbitrary sale of petrol at exorbitant prices by filling stations in the state.

    Alhaji Aminu Gidado (APC- Sokoto South II) raised the matter, expressing concern over the high prices in spite of improved nationwide supply.

    He said that independent marketers in Sokoto sell the product at prices as high as between N1,000, and N1,200, while those in the  neighboring Kebbi state sell at lower rates.

    Gidado urged the assembly to convene a round table meeting with  the stakeholders in the petroleum industry to address the issue and alleviate the financial burden on the electorate caused by the high petrol prices

    Meanwhile, the family of one late Abubakar Gwandu has dragged the Sokoto State Commissioner for Land and Housing, Alhaji Nasiru Dantsoho, and two others to the state House of Assembly, alleging a land fraud and forceful land grabbing in the state.

    The petition, dated May 14, and signed by Nurudden Gwandu, was presented during the plenary sitting of the Assembly on Wednesday.

    The family appealed to the assembly to investigate a piece of land allocated to their late father for the construction of a Mosque and Islamic school along Kano road in 1994.

    It stated, “The piece of land was allocated to our late father for the purpose of constructing a Mosque and Islamic school in 1994.

    “He was able to construct a befitting Mosque, leaving the remaining part of the land for the construction of an Islamic school.

    “However, in October 2022, we noticed strange construction activities on the land by one Murtala Dan’Iya and Numerical Empire and Investment Limited, who we believe have forcefully grabbed the land for personal use,” the family alleged.

    According to the letter, the family reported the matter to the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC), resulting in a temporary halt to the construction.

    “But upon investigation construction has since resumed and the letter of grant bearing our late father’s name was cancelled even though we have no notice of such.

    “Moreover, we have not received any notice officially from the state government of revocation neither have they contacted any family member on the issue,” it said.

    The Deputy Speaker, Alhaji Kabiru Ibrahim, presiding over the sitting, referred the petition to the joint House Committee on Public Petition and that of Land and Housing for investigation.

  • Sokoto Assembly summons Health Commissioner

    Sokoto Assembly summons Health Commissioner

    Sokoto State House of Assembly on Tuesday summoned the State Commissioner of Health, Hajiya Asabe Balarabe, to appear before its Committee on Tuesday, due to non-compliance with its previous invitations.

    Alhaji Kabiru Dauda (APC-Gada East), Chairman, House Committee on Health, announced the resolution after the committee’s meeting with the contractor handling the construction of Premier Hospital Binji and the Chief Medical Director (CMD) of Orthopedic Hospital Wamakko,.

    The committee had summoned these officials after identifying irregularities during its oversight visit on May 7.

    Dauda expressed disappointment that in spite of two invitations by the committee, the commissioner did not respond in writing or send any representative.

    “As lawmakers, we are committed to ensuring the best for our people and protecting the government.

    “Disregarding our invitation is a violation of legislative empowerment and the rule of law.

    “Consequently, the committee ordered the Commissioner to appear at the Assembly on May 21, at 12:00 pm without fail,” he started.

    Regarding the Premier Hospital in Binji, situated in the headquarters of Binji Local Government Area, Dauda expressed the committee’s total rejection of the project’s execution.

    He highlighted discrepancies in quality compared to a similar project in Tambuwal LGA, in spite of the fact thate both contractors received aa 30 per cent down payment.

    Dauda lamented the poor quality of work and directed the contractor to return to the site promptly and rectify the deficiencies.

    Similarly, concerning the Wamakko Orthopedic Hospital in Wamakko LGA, the committee resolved to investigate the circumstances surrounding the missing medical equipment from the newly-constructed sections of the facility.

    The chairman expressed concern over how unauthorized individuals accessed the hospital and stole vital facilities intended for the benefit of the people of the state and beyond.

  • Sokoto Assembly confirms Dan-Iya as Tambuwal’s deputy

    Sokoto Assembly confirms Dan-Iya as Tambuwal’s deputy

    The Sokoto State House of Assembly on Thursday confirmed the appointment of Alhaji Manir Dan-Iya as the new deputy governor of the state.

    This followed the adoption of a motion by the Deputy Majority Leader Alhaji Ibrahim Sarki (PDP-Sokoto North II) at plenary.

    Speaking on the motion Sarki urged his colleagues to confirm the appointment of Dan-Iya due to his qualities.

    “In view of the provisions of section 191 subsections (3)(c) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 as amended.

    “Governor Aminu Tambuwal submitted the name of Alhaji Manir Dan-Iya for confirmation as deputy governor of the state.

    “The person so recommended for appointment is an astute politician with impressive grassroots appeal, he will bring his experience to bear in the governance and overall development of the state,” he said.

    The motion was unanimously adopted when put to a voice vote by the Speaker Alhaji Salihu Maidaji who presided over the plenary.

    The News Agency of Nigeria reports that Dan’iya replaces Alhaji Ahmed Aliyu, who resigned on November 13 after securing the All Progressives Congress governorship ticket for the 2019 poll in the state.

  • Tambuwal commends Sokoto Assembly for passing Right to Education law

    Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal has commended the Sokoto State House of Assembly for passing the Right to Education law which seeks to provide free and compulsory basic education to all children in the state.

    In a statement issued in Sokoto by his spokesman, Malam Imam Imam, the Governor said the lawmakers deserve special praise considering the diligent manner they committed themselves to the passage of the important legislation.

    “This is a key intervention in our effort to expand access to education in our dear state. The decision to pass this law has given us the necessary legal framework to push forward our policy of the state of emergency we declared in the sector over a year ago.

    “We commend especially members of the Assembly’s committee on education who showed enough zeal and determination to convince their colleagues to pass the bill at a record time.

    “As the first state in Nigeria to make education justiciable right, we hope to implement the provisions of the law to the latter. For us, the work on realising our objectives for the education sector has only just begun. We seek the support and cooperation of members of the public and all stakeholders, local and international, to enable us provide quality and accessible education to our children,” the statement quoted the Governor as saying.

    He said the working relationship existing between the three arms of government in the state is worthy of emulation from all and sundry, adding that the same zeal would be extended to ensure smooth passage of other executive bills currently before the lawmakers.

    It would be recalled that the Assembly last Wednesday passed the bill which compels governments and parents to ensure all children between the ages of six and 18 are educated on public expense.

    It also prescribes punishment for parents and guardians who refused to let their children attend school.

    Another major feature of the bill is the institutionalization of the School-Based Management Committee (SBMC), which ensures public schools are properly supervised by parents and members of the public.

    The Governor is expected to assent to the bill in the coming days.