Over N267 million was realized on Saturday at the formal launch of the Sokoto Eastern Zone Development Association (SOEZDA), a non partisan organization established to tackle poverty, uplift education and promote economic emancipation in the eight local government areas in the eastern axis of the state.
These are: Gada, Goronyo, Gwadabawa, Illela, Isa, Rabah, Sabon Birni and Wurno.
At the launch, partly convened to find lasting solutions to the menace of banditry, kidnapping and other crimes bedeviling the area, the state Governor, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, said his administration will soon review the Security Challenge Containment Order (2021), proclaimed and imposed as an executive order by the state security council on 4 September 2021 due to security challenges in the zone.
The order, which in part orders the immediate closure of the 75 kilometer Isa – Marnona road, also prohibits the carrying of firewood, transportation of animals in trucks, carrying of 3 or more persons, and sale of second hand motorcycles in 15 local government areas of the state affected by insecurity.
It also prohibits sale of petrol in jerry cans while only designated stations will sale diesel above five thousand naira, while motorcycles and tricycles will not operate from 10 pm to 6 am in the state capital and 6 pm to 6 am in the local government areas.
The order equally stipulates that only authorised essential workers will be allowed to use motorcycles beyond the banned periods.
In retrospect, Governor Tambuwal, while commending the initiators of SOEZDA for establishing it irrespective of political or religious differences, said the order will soon be reviewed since the security sitiation in the state has now improved.
He said the state give will work closely with the association to stem the tide of insecurity and overall development of the zone and the state in general, calling on its leaders to be just and fair in conducting their activities.
Je assured people in the state that very soon the challenges in the state will soon be addressed as the state governments in collaboration with federal government as well as security agents are making efforts to addressed the situation.
Tambuwal also reeled out some achievements of his administration since its inception. The feats listed by him include provision of over 700 towns and villages with portable drinking water across the 23 local government areas. This is in addition to 1.5 million litre per day of water projects provided in all the headquarters of the 23 local government areas.
He thanked everyone who contributed in one way or the other at the launching, just as he announced the donation of N25 million from his friends and associates. He also announced the donation of N100 million from the state government.
In his address the grand patron of the association, former Sokoto state governor, Alhaji Attahiru Dalhatu Bafarawa, who personally donated N10 million announced the donation of N120 million from his friends and associates.
The chief launcher at the occasion, Alhaji Sahabi Tungar Kwangi, donated the sum of N5 million, Jarman Sokoto, Alhaji Umarun Kwabo A.A., donated N5 million, while Alhaji Murtala Abdulkadir Dan Iyan Jarma donated N2 million.
