Written by Adeniyi Olugbemi

As part of measures to tackle the rising cost of foodstuffs in the state, the Sokoto State government has set up machinery to procure 300 truckloads of rice at subsidised rates for the state’s residents.

Commissioner for local government and chieftaincy affairs Ibrahim Dadi Adare, while briefing newsmen after the state executive council meeting, said the meeting approved the purchase of 300 truckloads of rice to be made available to residents of the state at a discount rate of about 45 percent compared to market price.

He said the state government, following the executive council meeting, approved the purchase of 300 truckloads of rice to be made available to state residents at a discount rate of about 45 percent compared to the market price.

“The state government, under the leadership of Dr Ahmed Aliyu Sokoto, as part of his administration plan to make life easy for the residents of the state, decided to procure 300 truckloads of rice.

“The rice will be allocated to each ward; as we all know, we have 244 wards in the state, and each of the wards is entitled to one truckload of rice, which will be made available at a discount rate.

“The government will subsidise the item at about a 55 percent rate. If a bag of rice is 86,000 in the market, we will make it available between 40,000 and 45,000 naira.

“It will be for everyone in the state irrespective of tribe or political affiliation, whether you are from PDP, APC, Labour or even APGA, you are qualified to purchase the rice, which will be at ward level.”

He said the government has earmarked over fourteen billion naira for the purchase of the rice while assuring that a committee will be set up to monitor the exercise and ensure its purpose is achieved.

Published Date: August 21, 2024