By Dauda R PamMaiduguri
Governor Babagana Umara Zulum of Borno State has presented about 556 projects as dividends of democracy to the people of the state within the first half of his four year tenure.
Commissioner for Information, Babakura Abba Jato, announced this in an evidence-based presentation to mark the June 12,2021,Democracy Day, held during a luncheon at the government house multipurpose hall, MAIDUGURI the state capital.
According to the commissioner,70% of the 556 projects have been completed with 30%at various levels of completion even as most of them do not include policy programmes but capital intensive.
by Governor Zulum, National and State Assembly members, traditional rulers, party leaders, heads of security agencies and top Government officials.
Governor Zulum in his remarks, said that arrangements have been concluded for establishment of The Independent Corruption Practices Commission (ICPC) for the state and LGCs workers including public office holders to monitor and investigate any corrupt practice and bring to book anybody found wanting in diverting and mismanaging pubic money whether at the state or Local Government Council level.
Giving the breakdown of the projects, Jato explained that 194 capital projects were delivered on education, and they include – rehabilitation, completion and fresh construction of mega-size Government technical colleges and primary schools in different communities.
Also noted that 63 capital projects were delivered on governance and another 63 capital projects on roads, transport, rural and urban development, while 59 capital projects were delivered on water and environment.
Others were 58 capital projects on health, which included the establishment of 74 primary healthcare centres, new doctors’ quarters, and overhaul of 8 hospitals in Maiduguri Metropolis, Biu, Damboa, Monguno and Magumeri.
He explained that 53 capital projects were delivered on reconstruction, , rehabilitation and resettlement, which involve more than 6,000 resettlement houses for IDPs and refugees in 15 towns. Mr. President, Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, has since approved 10,000 resettlement houses in Borno State, with 4,000 already completed.
Of the556 projects,28 capital projects are on job creation, youth empowerment and humanitarian support which include an all-inclusive vocational training centre with 14 workshops for capacity development of 1,500 persons per annum. While noting that 15 capital projects were delivered on commerce and industry; 13 capital projects on agriculture and 10 capital projects were executed on security.
He also recalled that monthly allowances of volunteers in the Civilian JTF, hunters and vigilantes was increased, while over 700 vehicles and other logistics were needed to enhance their operational roles of complementing Armed Forces in fighting Boko Haram.
While Governor Zulum, who warned the LGCs Chairmen and legislators that nobody would be spares if found wanting after their 2 years tenure in office, also advised them to get prepared and to hold responsible and accountable to the LGC funds.
The governor, further, explained that no corrupt and non performing politician would be reappointed and re-elected in his cabinet neither at the State Assembly or LGCs elections respectively.
Governor Zulum also disclosed that his administration in the next two years of his first tenure would concentrate on recruitment of qualified teachers and medical workers to empowered the education and health sectors in addition to the furniture and equipment that would be provided to the educational and health facilities constructed and renovated across the state.
On job creation and empowerment of youths and women especially the physically challenged and vulnerables in the state including the almajiris, would be rehabiliated and reintegrated into the Tsangaya system of education to rid the streets of beggars and loiters.
The governor also noted that vocational training centers would be equipped and commenced training of unemployed youths as additional centers would be constructed across the state.
