The Federal Government has tasked residents of Tulu in Toro and Dutsen Zaki in Bogoro Local Government Areas of Bauchi state to protect projects sited in their domains.
President Mohammed Buhari made this charge over the weekend at the commissioning of projects executed by the Ecological Fund Office in Tulu, Toro and Dutsen Zaki in Bogoro Local Government Areas of Bauchi state. Represented by the Honourable Minister of State for Trade, Industry and Investment, Ambassador Mariam Yalwaji Katagum. She pointed out that it was the responsibility of the communities to own and manage the projects to ensure their sustainability.
The Executive Governor of Bauchi  state Senator Bala Mohammed Abdulkadiri represented by the Hon. Commissioner for Environment, Hon. Hamisin Shira thanked the Federal Government for timely intervention to save the people from devastating effect of flood and erosion. He noted that all the projects cited in the state were manifestation of Mr. President’s love for Bauchi state. The Honourable Commissioner indicated that the state was compiling more of such ecological challenges for onward transmission to EFO for consideration and possible intervention.
In her welcome address at the two events, the Permanent Secretary, Ecological Fund Office Dr. Habiba Lawal represented by Mr. David Haruna, Director Special Duties and Mr. Yusuf Addy, Director Drought, Desertification and Coastal Zone Management department stated that the projects would provide succor to the communities whose lives have been in danger.  She urged the communities to take ownership of the project and ensure their sustainability.
The Permanent Secretary attributed the timely completion of the projects to the effort of the project contractors and consultants who had worked timelessly to ensure minimum loss of time in the project implementation schedule with very close monitoring and prompt honoring of the contractual obligations by the Ecological Fund Office.
Representatives of the two communities thanked the Federal Government for citing the projects in their domain and pledged to maintain them without abuse. The events were attended by Bauchi state and local government officials, traditional rulers and religious leaders.
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Dr. Joel O. Oruche
DD(PPRU)
