By Kazeem Waris
The Sokoto State Government has approved N894.48 million for the Sokoto State Transport Authority, SSTA, to expand its haulage fleet and develop commercial infrastructure as part of efforts to reposition the state’s transport sector.
The approval covers N776.34 million for the procurement of 10 Mitsubishi Canter trucks and N118.14 million for the construction of 30 commercial shops at the Authority’s main motor park in Sokoto.
The General Manager of SSTA, Alhaji Ibrahim Muhammad, disclosed this yesterday while briefing journalists on reforms being implemented to modernise the state-owned transport agency.
Muhammad said the intervention, approved by the State Executive Council under Governor Ahmed Aliyu, would strengthen the Authority’s haulage operations and improve the movement of agricultural produce and other commodities within Sokoto and to markets across the country.
He said: “The procurement of these trucks will significantly strengthen our haulage operations and facilitate the movement of goods to and from Sokoto and other parts of the country.”
According to him, the investment is also expected to support commercial activities and boost the revenue-generating capacity of the Authority.
He noted that efficient transportation of goods was critical to the state’s economy, particularly because agriculture, livestock and trading remained major sources of livelihood for residents.
On the 30 commercial shops, the SSTA boss said the N118.14 million projects would provide additional business space for traders and operators while creating a sustainable revenue stream for the Authority.
“The construction of the 30 commercial shops is aimed at strengthening the revenue base of the Authority while also creating an enabling environment for commercial activities within the motor park,” he stated.
Muhammad explained that the development was part of a broader plan to transform the motor park from a transit facility into an organised commercial centre capable of supporting businesses and creating economic opportunities.
He also disclosed that SSTA had intensified efforts to improve accountability, security and monitoring of its fleet through the installation of tracking devices.
According to him, 76 vehicles belonging to the Authority had so far been fitted with trackers, enabling management to monitor their movements and improve control over the fleet.
He said the tracking system would enhance operational efficiency, curb misuse of government vehicles and strengthen management’s ability to monitor the activities of vehicles under the Authority.
Women taxis go CNG
In another development, Muhammad said the ongoing conversion of SSTA’s “Iyaye Mata” women-only intra-city taxis from petrol to Compressed Natural Gas, CNG, was progressing smoothly.
He said the initiative was expected to reduce the operating costs of the taxis and ultimately lower fares for women using the service.
“The conversion to CNG is progressing smoothly. Since CNG is cheaper and more economical than petrol, we expect the initiative to reduce the cost of operation and, ultimately, bring down transportation fares for our passengers,” he said.
He added that the initiative would also support the state’s efforts to adopt more cost-effective alternatives in public transportation while reducing the financial burden on commuters.
Muhammad commended Governor Aliyu for what he described as financial and moral support to the Authority, saying the administration’s interventions had strengthened SSTA’s capacity to discharge its responsibilities.
He said the expansion of the fleet, construction of commercial facilities, deployment of vehicle tracking technology and conversion of the women-only taxis to CNG were components of the Authority’s broader effort to build a more efficient and commercially viable transport system in Sokoto State.
