Sokoto State Governor, Ahmed Aliyu
Sokoto State Government has terminated contracts awarded to 36 companies for the renovation of Sokoto Central Market, which was ravaged by fire in 2021, while approving N3 billion for the refurbishment of nine General Hospitals across the state.
State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Nasiru Binji, disclosed this during a Wednesday briefing in Sokoto that the State Executive Council (SEC) revoked the contracts, originally awarded in 2022 by the previous administration through the Sokoto Investment Company.
“Unfortunately, only six companies commenced work but later abandoned their sites, while the remaining 30 never mobilised to sites,” Binji explained.
He added that the council instructed the Sokoto Investment Company to evaluate the work done by the six contractors for payment settlements, while demanding that the other 30 companies “immediately refund the 30 per cent mobilisation fees collected or face legal action”.
In a separate decision, Dr. Faruk Wurno, Commissioner for Health, disclosed that the SEC allocated N3 billion to renovate nine General Hospitals to bolster healthcare delivery under Governor Ahmed Aliyu’s administration.
The hospitals include Silame (N308.9 million), Gwadabawa (N292.9 million), Binji (N297.5 million), Kebbe (N315.4 million), Wurno (N320.5 million), Bodinga (N267.7 million), Dogon-Daji (N331.2 million), Gada (N313.4 million), and Illela (N519.2 million).
“The projects, awarded to various contractors, were expected to be completed within six months,” Wurno stated.
Additionally, Mr. Nasiru Dantsoho, Commissioner for Lands, Housing and Survey, revealed that the council approved N2.4 billion to continue the Tashar Illela–More road project, noting that “the same contractor has been retained to complete the work” initiated by the prior administration (NAN).
