By Rakiya A.Muhammad
In March 2023, Dr. Ahmad Aliyu issued his first statement as Governor-elect of Sokoto, pledging to a nine-point program that sets the tone for his administration’s goal to reform the state.
Education, health care, water supply, agriculture, security, youth empowerment, the economy, local government autonomy, and religious matters are at the top of the list.
He reaffirmed his commitment to the agenda as a workable road map toward a new Sokoto in his inauguration address on May 29, 2023.
“We have the desire for a new Sokoto State that will be accepted by all the citizens,” he declared
“My administration will listen to the yearnings and aspirations of the citizens to meet the campaign promises. My administration will welcome constructive criticism from Nigerians.”
Sokoto has seen some new projects in different areas in the first 100 days, which has been an important symbol of capacity and impact.
Reducing Obstacles in Transportation
The Dr. Ahmad Aliyu-led government has unveiled a number of big projects, including the distribution of 140 vehicles for use by security forces and intra- and interstate transport services.
Forty Hilux and twenty-two Buffalos vans were provided to security personnel as part of the effort, which the governor said was in line with his 9-point Agenda to promote the wellness of the people and the infrastructure of the state.
Others included 20 vehicles for women’s intercity transit and 50 buses for interstate travel.
Vice President Kashim Shettima, who unveiled the vehicles, praised Governor Aliyu’s efforts to improve infrastructure in his first 100 days in office, saying things like the transport facilities, construction of new roads and flyovers will make people’s lives better.
The projects, he said, showed the governor’s commitment to transforming the state.
Improving Access to Low-Cost Housing
500 new homes in the Kalambaina Wamakko local government area close to the state capital city of Sokoto had their foundations laid during the first 100 days of the current administration. This project cost N7.3 billion.
“Housing challenges in the state have given birth to the high cost of rent and induced the development of shanty settlements with its attendant consequence as well as induced environmental hazards,” noted the governor at the foundation laying ceremony.
“This kick starts a major housing program for the year, the 500 housing units will include 300 three-bedroom apartments and 200 two-bedroom apartments. “
Water, schools, hospitals, marketplaces, roads, and entertainment centers would all be provided by the government, he disclosed. The governor stated that the housing estate’s primary objective was to reduce the high cost of renting an apartment in the state capital and so alleviate the housing problems of state employees.
Former Governor Aliyu Wamakko, he said, had planned the housing estate before he left office, but his successor ignored it.
He was optimistic that building the houses would provide employment for the state’s large unemployed young population and boost business in neighborhoods bordering the development.
Governor Ahmad Aliyu’s “giant” gains in his first 100 days in office are inspiring, according to Vice President Kashim Shetima, who laid the groundwork for the housing plan.
The Vice President eulogized the governor for starting many projects with a human face and finishing projects that were started by Aminu Waziri Tambuwal’s government, such as an overhead bridge in the state capital.
“I sincerely appreciate what I am seeing in Sokoto today, and the kind of achievements I saw in the state within a short period of 100 days will serve as a challenge and yardstick to measure the performance of other progressive governors across the country and indeed opposition within the same period.”
The VP noted the previous office held by the governor under the administration of Aliyu Wamakko including commissioner for works, and health, and being a one-time deputy governor had helped him in discharging his current duties as the state’s chief executive.
He observed that Dr. Ahmed Aliyu was well-prepared for governorship. At the same time, he lauds Senator Aliyu Wamakko, a former governor and leader of the All Progressive Congress in the state, for his support and encouragement.
Improved roads, other infrastructure
Among the other projects was fixing up the Bungudu and Kamba roads, where there are a lot of Igbo spare parts dealers in the city.
The state helmsman stated the rehabilitation of the roads which gulped N363 million, was a promise he made to the traders in the area during his campaign.
“When we came here to campaign, we promised that we would rehabilitate these roads within our 100 days in office,” he recalled.
“These and many other roads had been neglected by the immediate past administration despite their economic value.”
The governor honored his counterpart from Imo State, Sen Uzodinma, by naming the newly opened Bungudu road after him.
“With the rehabilitation of Bungudu and Kamba roads where the Igbo people are trading, my brother, the governor of Sokoto is playing the politics of inclusivity and this is the way to go in Nigerian politics,” said Uzodinma who unveiled the roads.
Umar Abdullahi Ganduje National Chairman of APC, the ruling party in the state, underscores the dynamism and zeal of the governor to deliver Sokoto to a promised land.
“Immediately after he was declared the governor-elect, he started to make plans for what he intended to do when he assumed office,” Ganduje recollected.
“The result of his plans is what we are seeing now. When I came here, I commissioned a newly constructed road which was part of his achievements within 100 days. These are apart from the numerous road projects still expected to be commissioned soon.”
An overwhelmed APC chair declared: “The development is unprecedented and it makes the party proud.”
“The governor is super excellent and I am optimistic about his achievement in 100 days in office, we are good to go as a progressive family.”
The Jigawa State Governor also opened the Kware, Zagga, Jaredi, and Isa road projects in the city. He called these projects “exemplary.”
“These projects executed by Governor Ahmad Aliyu of Sokoto within 100 days in office serves as an example that he has the zeal for selfless service to the people and has a beautiful beginning in the state,” he averred.
“I commend him and urge the people of the state to continue to support him towards fulfilling his campaign promises as dividends of democracy and a legacy for the next generation.”
Over 800 million naira was spent on the project that was awarded to the construction firms Roads Nigeria and BCCG as part of the governor’s 9-point Agenda to improve the state.
For Governor Aliyu, the road projects were important steps towards making the state’s infrastructure better.
Hopes Rise for Rural Dwellers
The start of the Gawo, Darhela, and Sifawa roads, which are 11.6 km long, gave people in rural areas hope. This was part of the governor’s pledge to the rural development program, which is meant to give people in rural areas infrastructure
The goal of the initiatives was to strengthen agricultural and economic activities in the areas surrounding Bodinga town, the seat of Bodinga local government.
Former Governor of Sokoto Yahaya Abdulkarim, who flagged off the roads construction,asserted:”I am not surprised with the remarkable steps of the governor considering the track record and legacies of his mentor and father former Governor Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko who throughout his 8 years as governor brought a tremendous but positive change in the state.”
The former minister of the Federal Republic extolled the governor’s work, saying that he had made “huge strides” in improving the state and its residents’ quality of life.
He had high hopes for the future under the development-minded Sokoto leader and goes on to say that the governor will become even more popular as a result of these initiatives.
“Given the milestone as it spreads across communities in the state, it will afford Sokoto State to occupy its rightful place and space in the northwest as first among equals in providing ease to security personnel to reach out to communities in time of distress and enhance transportation services in the local government, especially on market days.”
