Infrastructure, Agric, Empowerment Top As Yobe Govt Approves N73.3bn Projects

The Yobe State Executive Council has approved projects and services worth N73,323,775,914.05, with infrastructure, agriculture and empowerment accounting for the largest share of the package aimed at accelerating economic growth and improving livelihoods across the state.

The approvals were made at the State Executive Council meeting held on Thursday last week at the Council Chamber, Government House, Damaturu, presided over by Governor Mai Mala Buni.

Briefing journalists on the outcome of the meeting, the Commissioner for Home Affairs, Information and Culture, Hon. Abdullahi Bego, said the Executive Council approved and ratified memoranda valued at N73,323,775,914.05, covering agriculture, road infrastructure, markets, housing, urban renewal, women and youth empowerment, as well as public-private partnership initiatives.

The commissioner said the Council approved N28.53 billion for the procurement of agricultural tools and implements under the 2026 Mega Agricultural Empowerment Programme geared towards boosting food production, enhancing agricultural productivity and strengthening the livelihoods of farmers across the state.

In the infrastructure sector, the Council ratified N21, 904, 063, 500.00 for the rehabilitation and asphalt overlay of the 45-kilometre Kalallawa–Kaliyari Road traversing Damaturu and Tarmuwa Local Government Areas.

It also approved N2, 070, 595, 017.50 billion for the construction of the seven-kilometre Damagum–Gubana Road, completing a 17-kilometre access route to Gubana town.

To stimulate commerce and improve transportation infrastructure, the Council approved N4, 939, 268, 813.00 for the construction of the Buni-Yadi Modern Motor Park and Grain Market, while N5, 687, 865, 141.49 was approved for external works and augmentation of the perimeter fence at the Damaturu Modern Motor Park.

The Executive Council also approved N3, 945, 496, 686.96 for the construction of a shopping mall and mini-market in Buni-Gari, Gujba Local Government Area, and N726, 087, 969.55 for additional works and upgrades at the Damaturu Mega Shopping Mall.

Other approvals include N2.25 billion for the purchase of 208 housing units from the Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, N1.18 billion for the construction of the Ministry of Housing headquarters, N652.63 million for the acquisition of Fanzar Mixed Farms Limited, and N616.61 million for the upgrading, remodelling, landscaping and installation of safety barriers at four major roundabouts in Damaturu.

Aspart of the state’s empowerment drive, the Council approved N460, 828, 450.00 for the procurement of 1,780 bags of 50-kilogramme beans for distribution to female small-scale business owners.

“These will be distributed along with cooking oil, smokeless stoves, cooking utensils and kitchen wares, that have already been procured and stored by the Ministry of Wealth Creation, Empowerment and Employment Generation.”

Similarly, the Council approved N364.48 million for the procurement of 1,000 Yamaha GX390 grinding machines to support women and small-scale entrepreneurs across the state.

In another major decision, the Executive Council approved a Public-Private Partnership arrangement for the redevelopment of the Yobe State Liaison Office in Kaduna into a modern hotel under a Build-Operate-and-Transfer (BOT) model.

“The PPP is based on a Build-Operate-and Transfer arrangement and the property will return to Yobe State Government ownership after ten years.

“The liaison office itself will be retained within the property and will be operated by the Yobe State Government,” Be stated.

The approvals according to the commissioner reflect the Buni administration’s continued investment in critical infrastructure, agricultural transformation, economic empowerment, urban renewal and private sector participation as part of efforts to drive sustainable development and improve the quality of life of the people of Yobe State.