By John Akevi
When former minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Sen. Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed, was sworn-in as
governor of Bauchi state on May 29, 2019, the attention of the nation was shifted to the historical state, with genuine prospect of “rebuild Bauchi” rising among citizens. This was expected largely because of the pedigree Bala Mohammed built while representing the people of Bauchi South Senatorial District in the red chamber of the National Assembly, and his subsequent success as FCT minister.
Senator Bala Mohammed had campaigned for the new position on the premise of rebuilding Bauchi state that was ruined due to maladministration and anti-people policies of his predecessor that strangulated the state and sent it tumbling deep down into abyss.
This was much evident in his numerous speeches before, during and after the elections. The need for the “#RebuildBauchi” mantra was necessary since it was an established fact that all sectors of the state needed revival via pro-people policies.
Bauchi people have now felt the huge difference between the ouster iberiberism regime and the administration whose word is their bond.
The foundation laid by Governor Bala Mohammad has heightened the already spiraling expectation from the citizenry. The new approach to governance and due process has galvanized the populace and attracted attention not just nationally but among development partners and other interest groups.The people have been co-opted and their inputs sought in efforts to
improve their well-being.
A priority to Governor Bala Mohammed and his able deputy, Sen. Baba Tela at the moment is institutional reform. They have repeatedly opined that when the institutions are on sound footing, the journey will be smoother.
Starting with education, knowing fully well that no human endeavour will move successfully without quality education, and considering many reports, including that of Nigeria Bureau of Statistics, which have clearly shown the worsening state of the standard of living of Bauchi people as well as been one of the poorest states in Nigeria with an embarrassing record of 1.3 million out-of-school children, and one of the least educated youth and women population in the country.
The Governor Bala Mohammed has made the revamping of the sector his number one priority. Within days of taking over the reigns of affairs in the state, he directed the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) to immediately embark on massive construction of classrooms across the state . He gave the directive following an unscheduled visit to a school in Nasarawa Village in the Alkaleri Local Government Area where he met over 300 hundreds pupils studying under trees, using stone carves and tree trunks as seats.
The governor expressed concern about the condition of public schools in the state , as he stated that the directive became
necessary to ensure the provision of quality education to pupils. He has also vowed to make sure the budgetary allocation for education is increased from the meagre sum it was when he assumed office. He has also approved the recruitment of quality teachers especially in the area of sciences as there’s been a huge deficit of teachers over the years. In making sure that the sector is uplifted and the state regains her lost glory in education.
Governor Bala Mohammed and his RebuildBauchi team are doing great in the area of road construction where he has already flagged of the construction and rehabilitation of 6 new roads in the state capital and Azare, headquarters of Katagum Local Government area of the state, worth about N6 billions. The six new roads include; Ibrahim Bako to Maiduguri Road bye- pass is 4.4 kilometers, Sabon Kaura to Jos Road bye-pass is 6.2 kilometers, Yakubun Bauchi Quarters is 1.8 kilometers while that of Muda Lawal market which is 1 kilometer would be rehabilitated. Others are the construction of Hospital Road to Jama’are, Azare Bye- Pass and Tafawa Balewa Road to Jama’are-Shira Road.
Also within the period under review a 58. 8 kilometers road linking Yalwan Duguri, Badaran Dutse, Birim, Bajama, Kumbala, Kundak, Wurno and Burga communities of Tafawa Balewa and Alkaleri local governments of the state was awarded to TRIACTA Nigeria Limited at the cost of N8 billion agriculture in order to make the state self-sufficient and boost food production and exportation. He has broken new grounds. In its determination to boost food production, Bauchi State Government has procured over 18,000 metric tonnes of assorted fertilizer for 2019 farming season
Another area where the governor has done well is in the Environment where an intense campaign is on to reclaim the state from filth and rubbish. Operation Keep Bauchi Clean has effectively changed the face of the state Capital from a glorified ghetto to an emerging 21st Century commercial city.
Bauchi State Environmental Protection Agency (BASEPA) that used to be an oppressive tool and thorn in the flesh of Bauchilites is now friendly and carrying out their major task of keeping the environment clean and decongest traffic with utmost diligence. The narrative and reality has indeed changed. All flood prone areas across the state are being taken care of.
On security, governor Bala Mohammed is sustaining cooperation with various security agencies serving in the state.
Interestingly, not many people are aware that Governor Bala Mohammee’s campaign to cleanse Bauchi state of crime is intricately linked to his Vision and Mission statements. Mohammed’s vision is for Bauchi State to become the 1st Choice Investment Destination and a hub for industrialization and commercial activities while his mission is to create a socially stable, business friendly environment that will attract both indigenes & foreigners to seek wealth creating opportunities in the state. Apparently, neither his vision no mission for Bauchi could be realised without a fierce fight-back against the lords of the underworld. So far, he has won the war.
Again, in a bid to give his hard-hitting stance against criminals in the state a human face, Governor Bala Mohammed is waving an olive branch. His decision to grant amnesty to the ‘YAN SARA-SUKA’ thugs in the state was received with unimaginable responses as over 500 members of the evil gang across the state surrendered large number of arms and ammunition and other dangerous weapons to the government and denounced the act of criminality.
The governor also promised the outlawed group of a useful entrepreneurial skills for self-reliance to avert an impending implosion caused by many years of neglect and exploitation. This decision has since been hailed by even his critics as a visionary step that completely situated the perception of the role of the governor as the chief security officer of the
state whose top priority should be the security of lives and property of the citizens.
Since coming to office , he has paid full salaries to workers every month as and when due . He has also made
commitment to offset the accumulated arrears of his predecessor, the moment the opportunity presents itself .
Governor Bala Mohammed has achieved a lot in 100 days considering that the economy of Bauchi state was in the red when he assumed office but pragmatically he has steadily driven the economy to green with his proactive policies, ease of doing business and partnerships that have brought in many investors to review state for industrialization.
The first 100 days is just a positive pointer to the fact that Bauchi State is in the best of hands and much more will be achieved throughout this tenure as the people are happier.
The views expressed in this article are the author’s and do not necessarily reflect WikkiTimes’ editorial stance.
