As part of measures to improve the health sector, especially as it affects the less privileged in the state, the Sokoto State Government has earmarked about ten billion naira to renovate, refurbish, and equip 244 primary health centres in the state.
Bashir Ahmad Abubakar, a budget analyst from the Ministry of Budget and Economic Development, stated this on Thursday during the Sokoto CSO coordinating quarterly meeting in the state.
He said the state government is ready to renovate and refurbish 244 primary health centres scattered across the three senatorial districts in the state.
Bashir further explained that the state government is working towards repairing all the Ambulances spread across all the primary health centres in the state for easy health care delivery.
“The government is also acquiring a Toyota Hilux, which will be used in monitoring and supervision activities in the primary health centres.
“The renovation will cost over six billion naira, which includes full installation of solar-powered light in all the primary health centres.
“It was part of the supplementary budget prepared by the governor for onward transmission to the state house of assembly.”
Also speaking, Comrade Bala Abubakar, the chairman of ward development committee in Sokoto South local government area of the state, also describe the exercise as not only necessary but also contributing immensely in bringing development to the grassroots.
He said the committee, in partnership with USAID State2State, has advocated and ensured that the state government approved and executed some of the products identified by the community for execution
“We are very grateful to State2State as well as the state house of assembly for ensuring that some of the projects identified and submitted to them through the affected communities are getting the attention of the state government.
“Some of the projects are either at the state of completion or at the fifty per cent level, while the few remaining are already identified for execution in the budget.”
The Chairman of the Coalition of NGOs in Sokoto State, Bello Shehu Gwadabawa, commends USAID State2State for its support of the organisation, which he said has led to the success recorded so far.
He said the five local governments, which include Sokoto South, Sokoto North, Tambuwal, Gwadabawa, and Wamakko, were identified as pioneer local governments for the community development chart.
” We identified some communities within the local governments to have a chat with the people of those communities and identified what their needs are from the government.
“Based on their needs, we will make a submission to the government to be inserted into the budget for implementation.”
The chairman, however, lauds the involvement of State2State for their support so far while assuring that the coalition will continue to maintain and sustain the service even after the exit of USAID State2State in the state.
Earlier in his remarks, the Local Government Manager State2State in Sokoto, Abdullahi Shagari, commends the CSOs for their contribution and ways of handling state activities.
He said the aim of the meeting was to review the activities of the government and give feedback to the societies on some of the activities of the government in terms of identified project implementation.
He said USAID State2State will be supporting the state CSOs in activating the community development committee projects tracking template tools.
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