Bauchi Govt Opens Bidding For N7.1bn UBEC/SUBEB Projects

Bauchi State government has flagged off the bidding process for the 2025 intervention projects under the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) in collaboration with the Bauchi State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), with the contracts valued at N7,109,285,168.92.

At the ceremony yesterday at the SUBEB headquarters in Bauchi, the executive chairman of the board, Alhaji Abubakar Isa Baba, said the exercise was aimed at improving the overall project execution process, creating awareness and ensuring transparency and due diligence.

“The project is a joint effort between the federal government, through the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), Abuja, and the Bauchi State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB). Each has contributed a 50 percent counterpart fund of N3,554,642,584.46 for the 2025 intervention year,” he said.

Represented by the permanent secretary of SUBEB, Alhaji Abdulhamid Muhammad Jubrin, the chairman explained that the bidding covers several components, including construction and renovation of classrooms, construction of VIP toilets, drilling of hand pump boreholes, and provision of ECCDE, primary, JSS, and teachers’ furniture.

Baba commended the commitment of Governor Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed and the Executive Secretary of UBEC for providing counterpart funds promptly to ensure smooth implementation of the projects.

He also acknowledged the contributions of development partners to the education sector, describing their support as invaluable.

The chairman assured stakeholders that due process would be strictly observed, noting that the projects are designed to impact communities across the state in line with the administration’s policy of providing a conducive teaching and learning environment.

He urged contractors to remain patient and conduct themselves with maturity, noting that only a limited number would emerge successful. He emphasized that the Board would not compromise on standards.

“To our bidders, some among you will be successful while others may not. I therefore urge all to exercise patience and maturity, as we are committed to fairness and justice,” he said.

“For those who win the contracts, you are strongly advised to adhere strictly to the specifications. We will not compromise standards in any way, and you must avoid violating the contract terms throughout the execution period,” he warned.

He added that the education sector in the state is witnessing renewed attention, with efforts focused on improving school infrastructure and enhancing teacher quality.

In his welcome address, the Director of Physical Planning at SUBEB,  Adamu  Abdullahi, commended the chairman for ensuring strict compliance with rules guiding project planning and implementation.

He noted that making the bidding process an annual event has strengthened transparency and accountability in project execution.

According to him, the Board has recorded a 98 percent completion rate in intervention projects between 2017 and 2024, attributing the achievement to the dedication of the chairman, board members, and staff.

Also speaking, UBEC zonal director, Abdullahi Shehu Jarma, assured participants of a transparent process and urged successful bidders to deliver quality work.

The chairman of the Bauchi State Contractors Association, Usama Aliyu Wundi, praised the collaboration between contractors and supervising engineers, noting that it has improved project delivery across the state.

He expressed confidence in the government’s commitment to due process and pledged that contractors would adhere strictly to agreed standards throughout the duration of the projects.