Sokoto Launches N1bn Subsidised Food Stores for Civil Servants

The Sokoto state government has inaugurated N1billion subsidised foodstuff stores for civil servants and other low-income earners in the six local government areas of the state.

Speaking at a training for shop facilitators, the Commissioner for Local Governments and Chieftaincy Affairs, Alhaji Ibrahim Dadi-Adare, described the initiative as a distinct one aimed at enhancing the well-being of workers.

Dadi-Adare challenged the facilitators to ensure transparency and adhere to stipulated guidelines in order to argument government efforts to sustain the programme.

He explained present administration under governor Ahmad Aliyu, has invested much on infrastructures, education, health, agriculture, water supply and others.

The Commissioner said that the administration of Governor Ahmed Aliyu have provided different kinds of palliatives comprising sales of subsidise rice, free distribution of agricultural inputs and others besides huge investments on security issues.

The Committee Chairman and former Deputy Governor of sokoto state, Alhaji Chiso Abdullahi Dattijo, said the pilot initiative was for state and local government workers along with primary school teachers across the state.

Chiso Dattijo explained that six areas selected for the pilot scheme included Dange Shuni, Wamakko, Bodinga, Kware, Sokoto North and Sokoto South local government areas, explaining that shops would be open at other areas.

He said each workers are entitled to buy commodities worth 30 per cent of his monthly salary while he can also buy N15,000 worth of commodities in the subsequent weeks.

Biometric registration

According to him, a consultant was engaged to manage the online marketing platforms which entails issuance of credit cards, collating payments and biometric registrations.

He said stores were already stocked and soon commodities will be on sales at the designated places adding that only registered individuals would be allow to purchase the items.

The committee chairman stressed that deductions would be through the workers salaries and urged benefiting workers to cooperate with managers and approach the stores as well as report any abnormally recorded to the committee.

Lateefah Ibrahim