To ameliorate the hardship suffered by people of the state following skyrocketing cost of food items, the Sokoto State government has introduced a 20 percent subsidy on select food items.

The food items are to be sold through a special mechanism called "Shangon Sauka Na Amadun Alu" which was launched by Governor Ahmad Aliyu in Sokoto on Wednesday.

Affected food items include rice, millet, cooking oil spaghetti and wheat.

Speaking at the launch of the programmes, Gov. Aliyu stated that the effort was another of the policies designed by his administration to cushion the negative impact of the removal of the subsidy on petrol on the people.

He noted that his administration would remain "steadfast in its commitment to alleviating hardship and promoting the welfare of our people," adding that "the flagship initiative is a palliative response aimed at ensuring that basic food items are made available at highly subsidized rates, which specifically targeted State Civil Servants, Local Government Staff, and our dear pensioners whose purchasing power in most times is far below expectations is negatively affected by the current economic realities."

According to the governor, "the Shagon Sauki Na Amadun Alu programme is a strategic and deliberate investment geared towards improving the well-being of our people."

He noted that "we are commencing this initiative with essential food items such as rice, millet, wheat, cooking oil, and spaghetti, commodities that are commonly consumed by a number of households in our society and guarantees food security."

Announcing the subsidy regime Gov. Aliyu said: "I am delighted to announce that the government has decided to offer a subsidy of 20% on all purchases made through this programme. By implication, the subsidy for the commodities being sold are as follows:

"Rice: 50 kg of the famous Dangote rice which sells for N 75,000 in open market will be sold at N60,000 at Shagon Sauki na Ahmadun Alu, while a 50 kg of our refined local rice being sold at N63,000 in open market will sell for N50,400 at shagon Sauki na Ahmadun Alu.

"Millet: A 100kg of millet which sells in the market at N65,000.00 naira only will now sell at 52,000 naira only, the beneficiary will enjoy a subsidy of N13,000 naira only per 100kg bag.

"Wheat: A 100kg of wheat which sells in the market at N80,000.00 naira only will now sell at 64,000 naira only, the beneficiary will enjoy a subsidy of N16,000 naira only per 100kg.Cooking oil: A gallon of cooking oil which sells in the market at N16,550 naira only will now sell at 13,240 naira only, the beneficiary will enjoy a subsidy of N3,310 naira only per gallon. Spagetti: A cartoon of spagetti which sells in the market at N17,500.00 naira only will now sell at 14,000 naira only, the beneficiary will enjoy a subsidy of N3,500 naira only per cartoon."

Speaking at the event, Jigawa state governor, Malam Umar Namadi, commended Governor Aliyu for prioritising the welfare of the people of Sokoto State.

He said: "Governor Ahmad Aliyu is a good man who is always thinking of how to improve the lot of the common man."

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