The Sokoto State Government has recruited 550 youths for routine township sanitation, as part of its efforts to prevent flooding and enhance public hygiene.

Malam Abubakar Abdullahi, the Public Relations Officer of the Ministry of Environment, told News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday that the workers were recruited about two months ago and deployed to various locations.

He said that the youths were employed to empower them economically and to take them off the streets.

Abdullahi said that the new sanitation workers would also complement the monthly sanitation programmes of the state government.

Abdullahi said that the work schedule of the sanitation workers includes clearing of drainages, evacuation of refuse, street sweeping and other sanitation works.

He commended Gov. Aminu Tambuwal for his employment generation policy, noting that the mass recruitment of sanitation workers was first of its kind in the history of the state.

He said that the engagement of the sanitation workers has made positive impacts on the lives of the residents, as waste and roads in the neighbourhoods were being cleaned on a daily basis.