Minister of State, Ministry of Regional Development, (MRD) His Excellency, Hon. Uba Maigari Ahmadu, has commissioned and handed over some critical projects to the government of Yobe State.
The projects include:
- Newly constructed NEDC, Yobe state office
- Constructed and equipped NEDC 250 capacity lecture Hall at Yobe State University .
- NEDC Solar powered borehole at Yobe State University, Mamaturu.
- NECD ICT Training centre at Yobe State University.
- Phone Repair Laboratory, Equipped by NEDC at Yobe State University.
- Inspection of Ongoing construction of student Hostel at Yobe State University.
- Inspection of Ongoing construction of 450 capacity multipurpose Hall at Girls Unity College Damaturu, Yobe State by the NEDC.
- Inspection of the Ongoing construction of one (1) mega store and facilities at Dan Etiebet Primary School, Yobe State by the NEDC.
- Handing over building materials and equipment to Yobe State Government at NEDC Warehouse, Damaturu, Yobe State.
- Inspection of ongoing construction of 2 bedroom of 250 units by the NEDC.
- commissioned and handed over of 20,000 capacity Model Mega School at Patiskum, to the Yobe State Government, executed by the NEDC.
Speaking during a courtesy call on the State Governor, His Excellency Mai Bala Buni ably represented by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG) Baba Mallam Wali mni, the Minister said, commissioning of the North East Development Commission projects is a testament to the synergy that exists between the federal and state government, working hand in hand to drive meaningful impact in the lives of the people.
The Minister of State acknowledged the vision of Yobe State government to transform into “The Pride of the Sahel and a model for development”, through the Yobe State Development Master Plan which aligns seamlessly with The North East Stabilization and Development Master Plan (NESDMP) and offers a framework for rebuilding the region’s social, economic, and physical infrastructure.
“Yobe State, as one of the most affected by the Boko-Haram insurgency, has through your exemplary leadership demonstrated resilience and commitment to development despite persistent challenges”, he said.
Maigari appreciated the progress made thus far, urging that all hands must be on deck to confront the recent resurgence of insecurity that continues to pose threats to lives and livelihoods of our people, even as he reaffirms Mr President’s unwavering commitment to restoring peace and stability in the North East and ensuring that the progress achieved is not derailed.
Speaking further the Minister of State said that based on the Eight (8) focus areas of Mr President; the Ministry has developed priority areas of intervention that will improve the socio-economic development of the region. “We will be launching a “Brick to Bed initiative” an educational project that aims to renovate and upgrade 2 dilapidated boarding schools per senatorial zone in order to have a safe and conducive learning space for children. In the same vain, we intend to roll-out the Academic Support and Skills Enhancement Programme (ASSEP), a Programme that is anchored on Science, Technology, Engineering, Maths and Agriculture, which has been piloted in Borno State to bridge learning gaps and equip our students for a technology driven future. These are in addition to ICT hubs and innovation centres that will be established to accelerate digital skills acquisition and prepare our youth for the digital economy.”
Towards bridging the healthcare access gap and improve service delivery, Maigari said A 50-bed Women and Children Hospital shall be constructed in each senatorial zone, as a specialist Centre of excellence, focusing on distinct areas of maternal and child healthcare such as VVF, Cleft and nutrition. Construction of a Pharma grade drug cold storage facility in each state capital and the establishment of a special MRI and CT scan centre in 2 of the existing healthcare facilities per state.
“We shall revolutionize agriculture, which is the main stay of our economy through the Regional Development Food Availability, Affordability and Accessibility Project (RDF), a transformative initiative that l seeks to combat hunger and improve food security through mechanized farming, modern irrigation methods, value chain development, and agro-processing. This project will see us cultivate some 5000 Hectares in each state of the North East concentrating on crops such as rice, wheat, maize and sorghum.”
He noted that the North East also faces significant infrastructure challenges that have been compounded in recent years by conflict, insecurity and acts of nature. Consequently, the ministry through the NEDC shall scale up work on reconstruction of critical roads, bridges, and rural access corridors to improve mobility and commerce in a sustainable manner, as demonstrated in the ongoing construction of the Ngwom-Mafa and Jere road networks in Borno State and the recent procurement approval of e-vehicles, e-tricycles, and e-buses to reduce carbon footprints, generate carbon credit benefits, and provide gainful employment to our youthful population.
In his remarks, Chairman, House Committee on NEDC, RT. Hon Usman Zannah who also represented Chairman Senate Committee on NEDC in his address commended Governor of Yobe State,, for the remarkable leadership he continued to provide in Yobe State, especially in the face of daunting developmental and security challenges in the North-East region.
“Your commitment to good governance, infrastructural development, educational advancement, and the welfare of the people of Yobe State is truly commendable. We especially recognize his efforts in promoting peace, rebuilding communities affected by insecurity, and restoring hope to many citizens,” he said.
According to him, the visit to Yobe reaffirms the National Assembly’s resolve to collaborate closely with state governments, particularly in the North-East, to ensure that the NEDC fulfils its mandate of fast-tracking recovery, fostering sustainable development, and addressing the root causes of vulnerability across the region.”
Governor of Yobe State, Mai Mala Buni,speaking through the Secretary to State Government, (SSG) Baba Mallam Wali, noted that during the insurgency, apart from wanton destruction of lives and property, the State was also inflicted with displacement of people and loss of means of livelihood of victims of the conflict. ” It is a well-known fact that the major attacks by the insurgents was on education because they detested western education which their dogma prohibited”.
According to him, the insurgency challenge necessitated the evolution of a holistic approach to achieving fast recovery and putting the State back on accelerated development track. This he said informed the education summit convened at the beginning of his administration which paved the way for constitution of Steering Committee on the Revitalization of Basic and Secondary Education and later the Education Trust Fund. “We are therefore, able to establish Mega schools, more Senior Secondary School new Senior Secondary Schools including those for Girls and IDPs, and more Junior Secondary and Primary Schools as well as incorporation of Tsangaya Schools in our system.”
On healthcare delivery, Buni said the state has established one functional primary healthcare delivery center in 142 out of 178 electoral wards of the State, upgraded some Healthcare delivery centers to General Hospitals and provided modern facilities at the Yobe State University Teaching Hospital and indeed other sectors such as road infrastructure.
The Governor reiterated the state’s appreciation for the efforts of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR on his resolute determination to end insurgency in the North-East and also for approving the execution of these vital projects in Yobe State. “No doubt the facilities the Honourable Minister of State for Regional Development is here to hand over to the Yobe Sate Government would go a long way in complementing our drive at speedy post-crisis recovery and progress of the State. This is even as he commended NEDC and by extension the Regional Development Ministry for projects completed and those on-going.
Speaking further, the Governor specifically requested NEDC to consider including provision of overlay for the Damaturu-Magza 77 kilometer road as its priority, as well as hasten the completion of the on-going housing projects, the Mutai-Ngalda road and the resettlement of Malumdunari community. “
Furthermore, in order to open up our rural areas, the Commission may consider construction of additional roads in the State, this include part of the construction of a 50 kilometer trans-Sahara road from Kumagannam to Yusufari. The State Government has already constructed 46 kilometers from Nguru to Kumagannam and 125 kilometers from kumaganna to Yusufari. We would like the Commission to link the two roads to not only open up the area, but also address the problem of insecurity. Similarly, we would request the Commission to construct the road from Geidam to Maine Soroa in Niger Republic which is a distance of 35 kilometers. This will immeasurably address the current security challenge in the area, improve trade and boost local bilateral relation between Nigeria and Niger Republic.” “Another very important road which will address the problem of insecurity in Borno and Yobe States is the construction of 72 kilometers road from Geidam to Damasak which the Commission may wish to look into”, he added.
Dignitaries led by the Hon. Minister of State, Ministry of Regional Development, Hon. Uba Maigari Ahmadu, during a courtesy visit were: the Chairman House Committee on NEDC also representing the Chairman Senate Committee on NEDC, Hon. Usman Zannah, Board Members of NEDC, Managing Director NEDC, Mohammed Goni Alkali and other top Managements of the Commission.
Signed
Lawan Ahmed Danbazau mnipr
Head, Press Public Relations
