Vice President Kashim Shettima on Monday, September 11, inaugurated vehicles worth N16.8bn purchased by the Sokoto state government.
Shettima also flagged off the distribution of N5bn worth of assorted grains as palliatives to the poor and vulnerable persons in the state. The items included rice, maize, and millet among others.
Speaking at the Giginya Memorial Stadium venue of the event, the vice president expressed delight and appreciated Governor Ahmed Sokoto for his passionate concern for the poor and vulnerable in the state.
He disclosed that the federal government would also come up with another palliative aimed at further cushioning the effect of fuel subsidy removal as well as the general economic hardships.
Earlier, Governor Sokoto said the vehicles cost the state government N11.8 billion, explaining that the 50 buses and 20 Toyota Camry would be used for city service, Intrastate and inter-state transport services to ease the movement of goods and services within and outside the state.
The governor also said that the 20 Buffalo patrol vehicles and 50 Toyota Hilux vehicles distributed to security Agencies in the state cost the state N6.6 billion.
Sokoto also disclosed that the BUA group donated 10 luxurious pickup vehicles to the state government.
Accordingly, the governor said the grains would be distributed across the 23 LGAs in the state.
He said: “Today, we are flagging off the distribution of the consignments of rice and other grains purchased by the state government at a cost of N5 billion.
He said beneficiaries will be identified on a non-partisan basis by a committee of eminent persons in the state.
“We are a resilient people. I have no doubt that we will emerge from this tough situation much better and stronger as a state and a nation.
“I urge our people to trust the committee to do justice to the assignment, bearing in mind that the whole essence of this modest effort is to show concern for the plight of the people, especially the most vulnerable among us.”
