Sokoto State Council greenlights over N21bn for roads, boreholes and hospital upgrades

Major road works The ninth regular meeting of the Sokoto State Executive Council, chaired by Governor Ahmed Aliyu, approved a package of road projects worth roughly N21 billion. The largest allocation, N10.96 billion, will fund the construction of eleven road clusters in the Arkilla Federal and State Low‑Cost zones of the metropolis, together with reinforced concrete and outfall drainage systems. A further N8.54 billion is earmarked for a dual‑carriageway linking Tsehen Masu, New City Kwasai and the old airport runway. Additional road spending includes about N1.78 billion for works on Kaduna Road, Tsafe Road, a cluster in the Guiwa area and the rehabilitation of Bunza Road.

Water infrastructure In the water sector, the council approved N7.84 billion to install 200 fully equipped, solar‑powered boreholes across all 23 local government areas. An extra N249.4 million will cover the purchase of drilling equipment, submersive pumps and related accessories needed to maintain the rural water schemes.

Health‑care upgrades Health‑care facilities will receive N680.73 million for renovations, split between Tureta General Hospital (approximately N377.9 million) and Rabah General Hospital (about N302.8 million). Separate funding of N383.3 million is slated for the completion of the General Hospital in Dange town, while primary health centres in Badon Barade and Alu Quarters will be upgraded with allocations of roughly N62 million each.

Education and other sectors Educational infrastructure also features in the approvals. Over N492 million is allocated to refurbish the collapsed hall at Umaru Ali Shinkafi Polytechnic, while N99.93 million will purchase teaching and learning equipment for Shehu Shagari University of Education. The renovation of the Government Girls Commercial Secondary School in Tambuwal is funded at about N911.6 million.

Aviation and ancillary projects The council approved N178.3 million for constructing an office complex and three retail units for Caliphate Air Limited at the Sultan Abubakar III International Airport. A further N84.37 million will be used to acquire operational equipment intended to safeguard government infrastructure.

These decisions were communicated in a statement by Abubakar Bawa, Director‑General of Media and Publicity at the Government House, confirming the breadth of the investment but not providing a detailed implementation timetable.

Overall, the approvals reflect Sokoto State’s focus on expanding transport links, improving water access, upgrading health facilities and strengthening educational and aviation infrastructure, with a combined budget exceeding N21 billion.