Sokoto Opens N1bn Palliative Shops for Workers, Retirees After Salary Increase

• The Sokoto State Government launched palliative shops worth N1 billion to provide subsidized food items on credit for workers and retirees

• Six local government areas were selected for the pilot phase of the initiative, aimed at alleviating economic hardships for citizens

The Sokoto State Government has launched palliative shops worth approximately N1 billion to assist state and local government employees and retirees.

During sales agent training on Monday, the chairman of the Committee on the Sale of Rice and Essential Commodities, Alhaji Chiso Dattijo, explained that workers could buy food items on credit at subsidized rates.

He stated that this initiative is part of the government’s broader efforts to ease economic hardships for its citizens.

Six local government areas—Sokoto South, Sokoto North, Bodinga, Wamakko, Dange-Shuni, and Kware—have been selected for the pilot phase due to their high concentration of civil servants.

Dattijo assured that the programme is designed for sustainability and will soon be expanded to all local government areas.

The Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Alhaji Ibrahim Dadi-Adare, warned that strict action would be taken against anyone attempting to sabotage the initiative, regardless of their position.

Dr. Aminu Bizi, the programme’s consultant, stated that all civil servants would be registered and issued special cards for making purchases.