Sokoto State government, through its Ministry of Finance, has restated its dedication to promoting economic development within the ambit of the state through a multi-faceted approach. The plan of the government was unveiled to the general public at the management retreat of its Ministry of Finance in Lagos.
Aminu Tambuwal, governor of the state, who was represented by the state’s commissioner of finance, Abdulsammad Dasaki, revealed that the administration had consolidated its progress thus far and was now focused on a more inclusive and sustainable driven growth for the state. Central to the objectives of the administration are human, remodelling of the state into an investment destination and establishment of tenable social infrastructure and institutions.
In the same stead, the commissioner reiterated that the proposed procurement of a N65.7 billion loan was aimed at expediting the economic advancement of the state via developmental projects. The loan, the commissioner stated, will be invested in critical projects such as agriculture, health and housing that will invariably contribute to the economic transformation of the state.
“Working with strategic partners, the state government would invest immensely in infrastructure across different sectors in the current year with a view to making the state economic environment more business friendly to attract and retain economic investment from the private sector.
“The additional funding portends an increase in budgetary capital fund from previous years. In addition, it is important to note that the facilities accessed for infrastructural projects across the state would be repaid during my ongoing second term in office.
“Understanding that the feats we have in mind to achieve are immense; we are consolidating the ongoing dairy project in collaboration with technical partners from South Africa. This is also geared towards our efforts at transforming the potentials of our state as a leading producer of agricultural produce in Nigeria and even on the African continent,” he said.
Furthermore, Dasaki pointed at the innovative steps the state was taking at ensuring constant improvements in the lives of indigenes, and maintained that the quality of life in Sokoto State was on the rise and the government could be credited for the work done thus far.
He further maintained that the expediency through which the 2020 budget was presented and passed augured well for the future of the state. It is also an indication that Governor Tambuwal has the machinery in place to maintain the drive for self-sufficiency in the state that is invariably expected to position Sokoto as a leading economy across the globe, he said.
“We understand also the pivotal place of infrastructure for all layers of the economy and so we are intentional in our effort to boost the infrastructure that would translate to real growth that can immensely impact the lives of our people. One of such areas in which we are boosting growth is Agriculture.
“With the facilitation of an irrigation dam to provide control irrigation and flood management to our farmers in Rapa and Gurunp Local Government Area which when combined accounts for more than 40% of our agriculture product, we have reinforced our commitment to the empowerment of our people and repositioning Sokoto as the epicentre and reference point for agricultural revolution
“The Ministry of Finance is undoubtedly pivotal in this drive and this gathering is an appropriate opportunity to restate the focus for the fiscal year and channel all resources at guaranteeing the achievement of our shared objectives. We can, therefore, reassure the good people of Sokoto State that this administration is actively forging first-rate strategies to make the state a hub of foreign investments and strengthening the socio-economic pillars of the state,” he said.
