State Govt earmarks N20bn for agric., environment projects

Gov. Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State says the state government has earmarked N20 billion for the execution of agriculture and environment projects across the 23 local governments of the state.

He said “I am happy to inform the people of the state that we are embarking on these projects across the 23 local governments of the state.

“These projects would include rehabilitation and construction of irrigation facilities, earth dams, as well as provision of water for irrigation and livestock.”

Tambuwal added that the state government had paid N1.3 billion as counterpart contribution to the NEWMAP project.

The governor noted that the World Bank gave N5.5 billion as its contribution to the project.

He explained that under the project, the Lugu dam which was devastated by flood in 2012 would be rehabilitated, so also the Wurno irrigation scheme.

He said that “the collapse of the dam in 2012 resulted in the destruction of 1,200 hectares of irrigable land, while over 3,000 farmers lost their means of livelihood.

“The state government would team up with the World Bank and other partners to mitigate desertification, deforestation and other ecological challenges.”

The World Bank Task Team Leader of the project, Dr Amos Abu, said 19 states were currently benefitting from the project.

Abu commended Tambuwal “for the courage, conviction and integrity to the project.”

The National Task Team Leader of the project, Alhaji Salisu Dahiru, represented by the Communications Specialist, Dr Adebayo Thomas, hailed the state government for the swift payment of its counterpart fund.

The state’s Project Coordinator, Alhaji Ibrahim Gatawa, said that the project was being implemented in Sokoto North, Wurno, Sabon-Birni, Goronyo, Gada, Tangaza, Tureta, Bodinga, Tambuwal and Illela local governments.