The Sokoto State Government on Tuesday met with stakeholders on how best the state’s 2020 budget could be reviewed to include provision of Isolation Centres, screening facilities, and other costs in the management of COVID-19 pandemic in the state. The Town Hall Meeting which was organised by the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning had in attendance various Non-Governmental Organisations, Traditional and Religious Leaders in the state. The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Malam Abubakar Shekara, said that the aim of the forum was to involve the public in the fiscal process on how best the state’s 2020 budget could be reviewed. “As we are all aware, the economy of states, the country and infact the entire world is adversely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. “Therefore, budget had ...
The Zamfara State government has described its peace and reconciliation initiative as the best way to address armed banditry in the state. This was contained in a statement issued by Mr Zailani Bappa, Special Adviser to the Governor on Public Enlightenment, Media and Communications, in Gusau on Sunday. He dismissed the allegation that the state government was giving more attention to bandits as a result of the peace process, saying this was unfounded and mere fabrications by mischief-makers. According to him, a lot has been achieved by security operatives in the fight against unrepentant bandits, who have continued to terrorise innocent citizens in the state and other parts of the north-western states. Bappa said, “The position of the Gov. Bello Matawalle-led administration is very clear, ...