FG asks Sokoto communities to own SDGs, Constituency projects

The Federal Ministry of Works has commenced mobilisation of communities in Sokoto urging them to own and maintain projects executed under the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and lawmakers’ constituency projects in the state.

Arch. Simon Abashe, a Deputy Director in the Special Projects Unit of the ministry, disclosed this at an interactive session with beneficiary communities and National Assembly members before inspection of the sites on Wednesday in Sokoto.

Abashe said the exercise was scheduled for each quarter of the year aimed at promoting good understanding between communities, projects execution ministry and the legislators on the suitability and value of the projects.

He said the Federal Government had executed projects under SDGs, interventions and constituency projects involving huge sums of money, stressing the importance of the interactive sessions for lawmakers, who usually submitted the names and sites of the projects for maximum impact.

”The whole idea is to ensure that the people got what they need, as demands of various communities differ, such that each area will get the right projects that will improve their lives.

”The ministry is doing its best to ensure proper execution of the projects as well as harmonise the processes, in accordance with federal budgets. These projects need to be well secured against all forms of vandalism and for the communities to consider them as theirs,“ Abashe said.

He expressed appreciation over the level of community participation recorded in Sokoto alongside lawmakers, state and local government representatives.

The Federal Controller of Works and Housing in charge of Sokoto zone, Arch. Iliya Mathias, said the Federal government had executed various projects meant to uplift people’s lives in the state, citing as examples solar powered and motorised boreholes, classrooms, town halls, drainage systems, amongst others.

Sen. Aliyu Wamakko (APC, Sokoto), said he strove to secure projects for his constituents, ranging from electricity installations, water supply, classrooms and other infrastructures.

Wamakko, who was represented by his Administrative Secretary, Mr Mustapha Alkali, at the meeting, said he conducted periodic meetings with his constituents and collated  letters on project demands from the people before forwarding them to the appropriate quarters.

Also speaking, Alhaji Shitu Bello, the Secretary of Wamakko Local Government Area, advised the ministry to always liaise with the local government councils in siting and execution of projects, to ensure delivery of quality projects according to standards and specifications.

Supreme reports that the team visited projects executed under the 2018/2019 financial year, and only Sen. Wamakko was represented at the meeting.