By Animashaun Salman

As part of its measure 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 to residents of the state.

Briefing newsmen shortly after the State Executive Council meeting on Wednesday, the state Commissioner for Local Government,  Ibrahim Adare, said the state government is concerned about the current hardship facing the people of the country including Sokoto residents.

He noted that following the Executive Council meeting, the state government approved the purchase of 300 truckloads of rice to be made available to residents of the state at a discount rate of about 45 per cent 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, each of the wards is entitled to one truckload of rice and will be made available at discount rates.

“The government will subsidise the item will about a 55 per cent rate. If a bag of rice is N86,000 in the market, we will make it available at between N40,000 and N45,000,” Adare said.

The commissioner noted that the measure “is going to be for everyone in the state irrespective of tribe or political affiliation. Either you are from PDP, APC, Labour or even APGA, you are qualified to purchase the rice which will be at the ward level.”

He said the government has earmarked over N14 billion 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.

Animashaun Salman

Published Date: August 14, 2024