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Sokoto introduces levy to fund education

By Editor
12 November 2015   |   1:38 am
FOR every contract awarded by the Sokoto State government, one percent of the total contract sum will be set aside to fund the state’s Education Development Trust Fund, Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, has said.
Tambuwal

Tambuwal

• DPR seals 28 fuel stations
FOR every contract awarded by the Sokoto State government, one percent of the total contract sum will be set aside to fund the state’s Education Development Trust Fund, Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, has said.

The focus of the fund, already established under the headship of former President Shehu Shagari, is to facilitate the development of information and communication technology in Sokoto schools, training of women on vocational trades, skills acquisition training and disbursement of bursaries to indigent youths.

Others include revamping of girl-child education, development of education policy framework, training of teachers and provision of critical infrastructure to complement government efforts in that direction.

A statement issued by Tambuwal’s spokesman, Malam Imam Imam, said the governor spoke when he granted audience to the British High Commissioner in Nigeria, Mr. Paul Arkwright, who paid him a courtesy visit.

According to Tambuwal, revamping of the education sector remains a key priority of his administration.

“We are working with all stakeholders to build on the gains recorded in the state in the immediate past. But to be honest, we are all worried about the negative statistical indices with regards to health and education in Sokoto State.

“We will work closely with development partners and the UK government to revamp the sector. Specifically we seek your help in the training and retraining of our teachers and the development of girl-child education.

“On our part, we are doing all that is necessary to achieve success. Already, we have introduced monetary incentives to mothers in rural areas to allow their daughters go to school. With your help, we will expand our areas of cooperation for the benefit of the people,” Tambuwal said.

In his remarks, Arkwright said the UK government has been supportive of the Muhammadu Buhari administration in the areas of security, trade and investment, education and health.

He said the UK’s Department of Foreign and International Development (DFID) has been working in Nigeria to support key sectors of national life.

Meanwhile, the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) has sealed no fewer than 28 filling stations in 11 out of the 23 local councils of Sokoto State in the last seven days.

The DPR Zonal Operations Controller, Alhaji Mohammed Kaura, made the disclosure when he spoke with newsmen on the fuel supply situation in the state in Sokoto on Wednesday.

Kaura said the filling stations were in Sokoto North, Sokoto South, Illela, Sabon-birni, Isa, Goronyo, Wamakko, Bodinga, Wurno, Gwadabawa and Gada local councils.

He said they were sealed for selling petrol above the government approved pump price of N87 per litre and at irregular hours.

“Four of the sealed filling stations belonged to major marketers, while 24 belonged to independent marketers. All of the axed filling stations were each fined N100,000, and were forced to sell the products at government approved pump price. They were also indicted for selling the commodity at between 6 a.m. and 8 a.m. and 4.30p.m. and 6 p.m.

“This is to apparently evade the eagle-eyed officials of the DPR, but we will continue to monitor their activities diligently with a view to sealing and sanctioning any erring filling station,’’ he warned.
The DPR controller also appealed to the residents to be patient because the Federal Government was doing its possible best to improve the fuel supply situation across Nigeria.

The Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) has sealed no fewer than 28 filling stations in 11 out of the 23 local councils of Sokoto State in the last seven days.

The DPR Zonal Operations Controller, Alhaji Mohammed Kaura, made the disclosure when he spoke with newsmen on the fuel supply situation in the state in Sokoto on Wednesday.

Kaura said the filling stations were in Sokoto North, Sokoto South, Illela, Sabon-birni, Isa, Goronyo, Wamakko, Bodinga, Wurno, Gwadabawa and Gada local councils.

He said they were sealed for selling petrol above the government approved pump price of N87 per litre and at irregular hours.

“Four of the sealed filling stations belonged to major marketers, while 24 belonged to independent marketers. All of the axed filling stations were each fined N100,000, and were forced to sell the products at government approved pump price. They were also indicted for selling the commodity at between 6 a.m. and 8 a.m. and 4.30p.m. and 6 p.m.

“This is to apparently evade the eagle-eyed officials of the DPR, but we will continue to monitor their activities diligently with a view to sealing and sanctioning any erring filling station,’’ he warned.

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