On Mar. 5, the Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE) Project in Sokoto State started the bidding process for the construction of 56 new schools across the state.
The schools include 28 junior secondary schools and 28 senior secondary schools that will be built in different communities.
This was made known in a statement by Malam Ibrahim Iya, the Public Relations Officer of the Sokoto State Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education.
According to the statement, the flag-off ceremony for the bidding process took place at the AGILE office located along Garba Nadama Road in Sokoto.
Speaking during the event, the Chairman of the Project Steering Committee and Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Professor Ahmad Ladan Ala, advised contractors who will win the bids to carry out the work with honesty and dedication.
He told them to fear Allah while executing the projects and also work closely with the ministry to make sure the construction follows the contract details and required standards.
Professor Ala said following the guidelines of the project will help ensure that the schools are built with good quality and delivered as expected.
Also speaking at the event, the Commissioner for Finance in Sokoto State, Engineer Jabbi Shagari, who was represented by Rilwanu Bello, said Sokoto is the first state in the North-West region to begin school construction under the AGILE programme.
He explained that the Sokoto AGILE Project completed all the required conditions, which allowed the World Bank to approve the construction of the schools.
Earlier in his welcome speech, the Sokoto AGILE Project Coordinator, Dr. Mansur Isah Buhari, who was represented by the Deputy Coordinator Kabiru Garba Gobir, explained the bidding process and procedures to the contractors and participants.
He said the process is designed to ensure transparency and fairness in selecting the companies that will handle the construction work.
In his remarks, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, Dr. Sanusi Aliyu Binji, assured that the ministry will closely monitor the construction projects.
He said officials will supervise the work to ensure that contractors follow the agreed standards and deliver quality school buildings for students across Sokoto State.
