Jigawa, Maradi Sign MOU

Gov. Sule Lamido of Jigawa and his counterpart in Maradi , Niger Republic, Alhaji Aliyu Muazu have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to boost some sectors in their states.
The two states would collaborate in the areas of health, agriculture, education, environment, water resources and security.
This was contained in a communiqué signed by the two governors and made available to Newsday in Dutse.
The communiqué was issued at the end of a three-day visit of the Maradi governor to
Jigawa state.
According to the communiqué, the two states would partner to eradicate poliomyelitis, measles as well as animal diseases, including Avian Influenza (bird flu) and plant pests.
The two states would also cooperate to develop agriculture through research and development of sorghum, cassava, cow pea, groundnut, millet and wheat.
Educational development was also part of the bilateral agreement. This would enhance the teaching of French and English through students' exchange programmes.
French is the official language of Niger Republic while Nigeria is Ango-phone.
The two states also agreed to monitor and communicate to each other the movement of pastoralists, while developing cattle routes and grazing reserves to check farmers and herdsmen clashes.
The communiqué said an implementation committee would be set up comprising representatives of the two states.

Traders Take Over Sokoto Roads

Itinerant traders have taken over major roads in Sokoto metropolis, Newsday reports.
Newsday investigation revealed that roads taken over by the street hawkers included the
Old Market and Tudun Wada roads.
In the same vein, all the adjoining streets to the Sokoto Central Market have been taken over by the traders.
Newsday reports that the shoulders, pavements and medians of the affected roads were adorned with assorted wares for sale.
Newsday investigation indicated that the situation was worse at the precincts of the Sokoto old market where traders were obstructing human and vehicular traffic.
The chaotic traffic situation caused by the traders was also observed at the popular
"Kasuwar-Kanawa" located on Tudun-Wada road. It was gathered that the traders had refused to relocate to their shops at the renovated Sokoto Central Market.
Newsday recalls that the traders took to the streets in April 2006 when the Sokoto Central
Market was gutted by fire.
The affected traders were then relocated to the satellite markets at the Coopers and Pepsi areas, old market and "Kasuwar-Kanawa".
The market burnt market has sincere-opened after it was renovated with thousands of new shops added.
Another meat and vegetable market had also been constructed by government at the Dandima end of the Sokoto Central Market.
Reacting to the development,Alhaji Sanusi Tukur-Faru, the Special Adviser to Gov. Aliyu Wamakko on Urban and Regional Planning, explained the traders would have to leave the roads.
" We will make sure that all the traders move to the Central Market as soon as the allocation of shops are completed,'' he added.