As the clock is fast tickling to the May 29, 2023 handing over date, so the Sokoto state government under Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, is also racing fast to complete it legacy projects dotting the landscape across the state.
It is a known fact that Sokoto state under the leadership of Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal has witnessed a remarkable level of steady progress to stand shoulder to shoulder with other states through engineered reforms in providing basic amenities to Sokoto citizens, it is imperative that teething issues still hinder solutions on how best the government wishes to serve the citizenry.
To the credit of the current administration, their are uniformed local government water project of 1.5 million litres semi-urban water supply project initiated by the state government in twenty, out of the state twenty three local governments but, while many local government areas were enjoying the benefits of the project, there are few exceptions that non completion of the project has robed the people of the benefits of accessing a clean potable water.
Those who are yet to sip from the dividend of pipe borne water, lamented that mere release of funds for procurement of diesel to power generator and pump water into the over head tank is their bane while in some places, the water riggs were drilled about two years ago, but still there is no water.
Governor Tambuwal’s predecessors added beauty to the aesthetic landscape of Sokoto with the legacy of a flyover respectively. To surpass them, he opted to construct two flyovers with dual carriage lanes that are nearing completion at Runjin Sambo and Diplomat areas within the metropolis, towards easing traffic congestions.
To a class among the opposition, the structures and facilities at the newly completed Government Girls Science Academy, Kasarawa, is a masterpiece, that will achieve it intended purpose of boosting girl-child interest in science related careers.
Another talk of the town project is the 12km road bye-pass linking Kasarawa/Airport road to Dange Shuni local government area of the state, through which motorists from Gusau/Talata Mafara axis can link up to Birnin Kebbi, reducing pressure of vehicular traffic in the metropolis.
Save for the gigantic indoor sports hall that has already been roofed, the completion of ongoing work at the ultra-modern stadium located in the new city axis of the state is likely to be the eight wonder of the world. There are much work to be done in the areas of erecting the roof for the cover stand, grassing the playing turf, laying of tartan track and fixing of seats throughout the spectators stand.
To a team of Journalists led by Chairman of Nigerian Union of Journalists, NUJ, Sokoto State Council, Dalhatu Safiyal-Magori, on projects monitoring tour in the state, it was commendations galore, on what the Tambuwal’s administration has done and currently doing with health infrastructures in the state.
The state can boast of an Advanced Diagnostic Center, Sokoto State University Teaching Hospital at advance stage of completion, three Premier Hospitals nearing seventy percent completion spread across the senatorial zones, refurbished and renovated general hospitals, with the exception of Silame local government hospital which dilapidated female ward roof especially, is begging for urgent attention.
Dalhatu Safiyal-Magori, while commending the contractor handling the Teaching Hospital project for a quality job, urged him not to compromise standard and ensure completion according to specifications.
The projects supervisor of the Sokoto State University Teaching Hospital, Architect Abdulhameed Yahuza Mainasara said, to ensure the job is delivered as scheduled without compromising quality, not less than one thousand workers of different field were employed to work on the site daily.
Meanwhile, the state teaching hospital which is a 950 bed capacity, when completed will boast of different wards as well as visiting Doctors lodge, Corpers lodge, Auditorium as well as Radiology. The teaching hospital also include a space for helipad where air ambulance can land in case of emergency.
Other facilities apart from the normal bed space also includes VIP as well as VVIP lodges which posses all the qualities of a standard suite. It also includes accommodation for the CMD and other senior staffs within the premises of the hospital.
A veteran journalists, Abdulfatai Abdulsalaam, who was among the media practitioners on the projects monitoring tour told our correspondent that, apart from the metropolitan councils, Sokoto North and South respectively, three local governments, Tambuwal, Binji and Goronyo LGAs, stood out as leading beneficiaries of the current administration infrastructural projects.
Speaking with the benefits of hindsight, the veteran journalist said, “in all my years as a practicing journalists right from the days of old Sokoto state, compromising Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara, the projects I saw, including the on going ones are legendary.
“At Tambuwal local government area, Work has however, reached 70 percent completion level at Tambuwal Premier Hospital, one of the three premier hospitals situated in each senatorial zone.
“While the Quantity Surveyor of the construction firm, Ayodele Adeosun, affirm the readiness of the firm to deliver a quality job for, the council Director of Works, Mainasara Abubakar Kilgori, described some of projects executed by the Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, led administration as unprecedented in the history of the local government from the return of democratic government in 1999.
“Some other projects within Tambuwal local government includes, expansion of administrative blocks at the School of Nursing and Midwifery, completed 60 KW Solar PV mini Grid, newly upgraded General Hospital Tambuwal, Modern Abbatoir, About 30km completed township road, new blocks of classrooms in public primary and secondary schools.
“Construction of two newly established modern secondary schools in both Tambuwal and Dogondaji towns, rehabilitation and reconstruction of palace of district head of Kebbe town, Construction of new Divisional Police station Kebbe among other developmental projects.”
Even in the face of insecurity challenges that bedevilled the North East axis of Sokoto state, Abdulfatai recalled that, the chairman of Goronyo local government area, Abdulwahab Yahaya Goronyo said, through joint efforts with the state government, the council had executed no fewer than 50 projects across it’s eleven wards.
The council boss explained to journalists on tour of the area that, “with the support of Governor Tambuwal, the council had successfully constructed 50km road linking three communities of Illela Huda, Gare and Gidan Mata in addition to renovation of schools at Gidan Tudu and Giyawa.
“Also, a solid embankment of 7km long had been constructed at the cost of N38m to prevent over flow of water that usually cause destruction on farmlands. Two blocks of six classrooms and a headteacher office at the Nana Aisha Islamiyya school were renovated at the cost of N8.6 million to make learning and teaching conducive.”
Corroborating Abdulfatai’s verdict, Alhaji Wadata Maikulki, the Chairman of Binji local government area confirmed to our correspondent that, the area benefited numerous projects under the current administration aside, construction of the on going mega premier hospital.
“Others include ongoing renovation of district head’s palaces in Binji and Bunkari towns; renovated Jumu’at mosques at Gwahitto, Dalijam, Bunkari, Maikulki and Binji; upgraded Primary Healthcare Centers at Maikulki, Gidan Mai-Debbe and Bunkari towns.
“The council also drilled borehole to improve water supply in fifteen communities; constructed culverts, electrification projects, and solar powered boreholes at Soro, Gidan Bawa, Runji towns, while people of the area equally benefited from economic empowerment supports comprising N20,000 small scale businesses grants giving to 100 persons among others,” he stated.
Maikulki added that Binji is among the LGAs faced with security challenges as Qarani, Gidan Qirya communities are not easy to access due to insecurity despite the council support to security agencies and vigilante groups.
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