The Yobe State government said plans are on top gear for the commencement of a major modernization drive of Damaturu the state capital.
The Commissioner for Home Affairs, Information and Culture, Hon Abdullahi Bego stated this while briefing journalists on the outcome of the first 2025 State Executive Council chaired by Governor Mai Mala Buni last week.
Bego said the modernization drive was part of governor Buni’s initiative of providing infrastructure among other social amenities geared towards meeting the yearning and aspirations of the electorate.
He said, “The administration of His Excellency, Governor Buni will very soon embark on a major modernization initiative of the state capital, Damaturu in 2025.”
The commissioner stated that the council has noted with satisfaction that despite economic challenges, the administration was able to execute laudable projects in 2024 many of whom will be commissioned soon.
“During the meeting, His Excellency the governor reflected on the preceding year, noting it as one in which the state government was able to execute many projects and programmes that have positive impacts on the lives of the people of the state.
“These projects and programmes cut across many sectors, including healthcare, agriculture, education, road construction, empowerment, etc.
“His Excellency the governor expressed confidence that many of the ongoing legacy projects of the administration will be completed and commissioned this year.
“These include the Potiskum Modern Market and the Ngalda and Yunusari markets all of which are currently at 90% stages of completion, and the Geidam Modern Market which is now at 75% completion stage. Despite initial delays in its execution, work is also ongoing at the Potiskum Truck Transit Park and is now at 90 percent completion stage.
“And, as you are aware, His Excellency has also built four modern SESAME SEEDS processing factories in Machina, Nguru, Potiskum and Damaturu. All of them have been 100% completed and will be commissioned soon.”
In the area of road construction, Bego said many road projects have been completed assuring that all other major ongoing road projects will be completed and commissioned this year.
“These include Fika-Maluri road (first phase completed; second phase ongoing); Kukuri-Chukuriwa-Dawasa (95% completion stage); Karasuwa-Galu- to Gashu’a main road (completed); Gashu’a-Masaba road (48% completion stage); Chumbusko-Tagali road (100% completed); Nguru-Balanguwa (75% completion stage); Balanguwa-Kumaganam (a part of the Trans-Saharan road network at 60% completion stage); Danchuwa-Garin Bingel (100% completed); and the Danchuwa-Jajere road (97% completion stage); amongst others.
“His Excellency’s administration has also completed a number of township roads in the first phase in Nguru, Jajimaji, Gashu’a, Potiskum, Damagum, Damaturu, Buni-Yadi, Babban Gida, and Geidam.
“In the second phase, Nguru township roads were completed 100%; Potiskum and Damaturu are at 80% while Geidam and Gashu’a township roads are now at 40% stages of completion. We also have ongoing township road projects in Fika, Buni-Yadi and Yunusari towns.”
The commissioner further stated that all roads at local government areas cut off by last year’s rains, especially in the northern part of the state, have been repaired and vehicular traffic restored.
“These include Damaturu-Buni Yadi at Gujba; Damaturu-Bayamari at Kariyari and Jumbam; Potiskum-Gashu’a road at Tarajim and Gada towns; Bayamari-Yunusari at near the main bridge; and Geidam-Bukarti at Mazagum. There is also ongoing rehabilitation of Yunusari-Yusufari road; Jajimaji-Karasuwa road; Yunusari-Kafiya-Kanamma road junction.
“The state government is also currently constructing a road from Potiskum to Ngojin and from Fadawa to Daya in the Fika Local Government area,” Bego stated.
The state executive council also noted the delivery of healthcare equipment to the state donated by World Medical Relief in the United States.
“These equipment include hospital beds, infusion pumps, patient monitors, surgical instruments and tools, defibrillators, fetal monitors and ventilators, amongst others.”
The commissioner stated that during the meeting, the governor highlighted his administration’s human capital development effort in 2024 where many people across the state were reached with various forms of support.
“In particular, he spoke about the students sent to India for undergraduate studies, many of whom graduated last year. He said the FOREX situation made things very difficult but because of the determination and resilience of the administration, funding continued until they graduated.”
Bego said the governor emphasized “We remained steadfast. We remained committed to providing them education. Bringing them back home due to the forex situation would have been a disaster. As you know, some of them were orphans. All of them behaved well during their stay and never engaged in any untoward or shameful activity as attested to by the Nigerian embassy in India.
“His Excellency thanked members of the council for the success that Yobe recorded with regards to the implementation of the 2024 budget where it emerged as one of the best performing states in the country.”
The commissioner said the governor urged members of the council to remain steadfast during the current year and continue to do more for the people of the state.
