By Bukola Hameed
Sokoto state government today approved the sum of over seven billion naira variation claim for some of the ongoing projects being executed in the state.
Commissioner of Health, Alhaji Lema Abubakar stated this while briefing newsmen after the state executive council meeting held at the council chamber of Government House, Sokoto.
According to him, the sum of N4.2 billion was approved for the variation claim of the on going construction of Sokoto state University Teaching Hospital, which initial contract sum was N14. 4 billion. With the variation the total contract sum now stands at N18.5 billion.
Similarly the sum of N1.28 billion was also approved for the variation claim on the ongoing construction of the Premier Hospital, Tambuwal, which initial contract sum was M2.7 billion, but now stands at N4 billion naira.
Also according to commissioner, the sum of N990 million has been approved as variation of the ongoing Premier Hospital, Binji raising the total cost from N2.7 billion to N3.7 billion.
He said the variations were imperative due to increase in the prices of items required for its completion. More over, the project has reached advanced stage for completion.
Also at the briefing, the commissioner of Youths and Sports Development, Hon. Bashir Gidado, said the sum N1 billion was approved as variation for the completion of additional works at the ongoing Sokoto new stadium project.
He said the variation is due to the recommendations made by the Minister of Sports, Sunday Dare, when he visited the state and inspected the project.
According to the commissioner the additional works include construction of more courts outside the premises, erection of an electronic scoreboard and additional canopies among others.
Hon. Gidado said the initial contract sum of the stadium, if completed could be at par with its national replica, was N2.7 billion, but it is now N3.7 billion.