Sokoto approves N4bn for projects, revokes 5 contracts

Sokoto State government has approved N4 billion to be spent on two health projects and one education project. The new projects billed for execution are the construction of Premier Hospital Binji and the 608-bed capacity student hostel at Sultan AbdurRahman School of Health Technology, Gwadabawa, and the construction of a similar two-storey hostel complex at Shehu Shagari College of Education (SSCOE).

The state executive council presided over by Governor Aminu Tambuwal, which gave approval to the projects on Monday, however, revoked five abandoned contracts.

Four of the abandoned projects located at Murtala Muhammad Hospital include the construction of two additional blocks of ward, landscaping of the hospital, construction of 47 staff quarters and completion of a special work at the hospital which comprises a theatre, mortuary, laundry and others.

Also revoked was the contract for the construction of a General Hospital at Wamakko town which was awarded since 2013.

Briefing newsmen after the council meeting, Ali Inname, commissioner for health, and Bashir Garba, commissioner for higher education, said N2.7 billion was approved for the construction of Premier Hospital in Binji local government area, scheduled to be completed within 17 months.

The contract for the SSCOE will gulp the sum of over N524 million while that of Sultan Abdul Rahman School of Health Technology, Gwadabawa will gulp over N523 million. Both are expected to be completed in nine months.

In each of the hostels in SSCOE and Gwadabawa, each floor will have 24 toilet facilities, kitchens and laundry. There will also be provision for solar lighting system, borehole with overhead tanks, among others.