In the first episode for WikkiTimes, I have talked about the trajectory of Bauchi state and the resentment of its people on successive governments that have deliberately failed to develop the state. I have argued that since the return of democracy in Nigeria, infants states like Gombe have grown in astronomical numbers with commendable achievements—but our story, sadly remains more or less the same way—we stagnate in one place for decades.
In this second series, I highlight the achievement of his Excellency, Governor Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed, fondly addressed as Kauran Bauchi within just 100 days.
The governor, as part of his administration’s policy thrust has ensured that workers in the health care sector were properly trained and equipped with commensurate tools to deliver their responsibilities.
His efforts enticed an Abuja based Organization, Lautech Solutions Limited to donate hospital equipments worth over 250 million naira to state government to consolidate its stride in that regard.
The Chairman of the Organization, Alhaji Hussaini Bokane was quoted as saying that the gesture was to compliment Governor Bala’s quest to reinvigorate the health care sector and address mindboggling challenges
On infrastructural development, Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed flagged off the construction and rehabilitation of some roads in the state capital worth about N5 billion.
The projects include; construction of Gombe-Maiduguri Road Bye-Pass, Sabon Kaura to Jos Road Bye-Pass and rehabilitation of Sultan Abubakar Road to Muda Lawal Market Road and Yakubun Bauchi Quarters—all geared to reduce road accidents within the metropolis.
The construction of Gombe Road project to Maiduguri Road bye- pass is a 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 road is 1 kilometer.
Few days ago, he flagged off the construction of Hospital Road to Jama’are, Azare Bye-Pass, a 1.3 kilometer road, while that of Tafawa Balewa Road to Jama’are, Shira Road is 6.5 kilometer—all worth over one billion naira.
Speaking at the project site Azare, headquarters of Katagum Local Government Area, Governor Bala Mohammed said the urban road revival of the present administration is a strategic response to the infrastructural gap being experienced as a result of population growth and expansion of urban cities and towns.
The people’s Governor also flagged off the construction of Sade to Akuyam road linking Dazaro and Misau local government areas, awarded at the cost of over N3 billion which covers a distance of 16.2 kilometers to be constructed with two coats of surface dressing on a 7.3 meter carriageway and single coat on 1.5 meter shoulders on each side of the road which was initially planned to be constructed in 1981.
Similarly, Governor Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed flagged off the construction of the road linking Alkaleri and Tafawa Balewa local government areas of the state at the cost of over N8 billion, covering communities of Yalwan Duguri to Badaran Dutse, Birim-Bajama to Kumbala, and Kundak-Wurno to Burga.
The road was designed to have a length of 58.4km with total width of 10.3m which comprised of a carriageway of 7.3m and 1.5m shoulders on each side would be constructed with 4 bridges, 45 box culverts and 70 pipe culverts of different sizes and is expected to be completed within 24 dry months.
The Governor, who released 50 percent of the money for the projects awarded to facilitate timely completion, said the award of contract for the construction of the roads was in line with the policy thrust of his administration of providing infrastructure that have direct bearing on the lives of the teeming populace.
On the education sector, the United States Agency for International Development, USAID supported the Bauchi State government with 600 million naira for the provision of learning materials, for primary school pupils, the implementation of Teacher Management Information System while the Federal Government had approved N5 billion as the 2019 Universal Basic Education Intervention Programme for Bauchi State to compliment the efforts of the administration in the state in addressing the challenges facing the education sector by restoring its lost glory.
The Universal Basic Education Commission under its Better Education Service Delivery for All project, Bauchi state government also benefited from a grant of $3 million to address the menace of out of school children.
On Agriculture, the state governor,Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed launched the 2019 farming season and sale of fertilizer at Zaki local government area of the state at the cost of N5 500 per bag and funds were immediately released to the state Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources to provide six thousand metric tonnes of the fertilizer.
In order to meet the fertilizer demand of farmers, the Ministry of Agriculture was directed to ensure the availability of the commodities across the 20 local government areas of the state which was facilitated to offer inputs to farmers in line with his campaign promises.
Agriculture being the mainstay of the economy and major employer of labor, the governor said Bauchi state government will launch an agricultural policy document to ensure smooth agricultural production across the state.
On civil service matters, the governor had appointed the new head of civil service, alongside the special adviser on civil service matters, Alhaji Nasiru Yalwa and Mr Abdon Dalla Gin and the release of 100 million naira for the payment of outstanding gratuities for retired workers, while efforts were on top gear for the payment of other entitlements.
Consequently, as part of measures towards ensuring the involvement of youth and women into various ventures, the administration of Bala Mohammed had released the sum of N19 million as its counterpart funding to World Bank for the final cycle of the 20,416 Public Workfare Beneficiaries of the Youth Employment and Social Support Operation Programme, a World Bank project.
Without delay, he approved the establishment of a Petroleum Studies and Skills Acquisition Institute in Alkaleri local government area of the state which will train and produce requisite professionals to service the oil industry in addition to teaching relevant skills to support various aspect of infrastructural development.
The Governor’s effort to empower youth has yielded positive result, as over 500 thugs notoriously called “Yan Sara-Suka in Bauchi surrendered and renounced their act of thuggery and criminality in the state.
Governor Bala Mohammed who lauded the youth for voluntarily surrendering their weapons, promised that government will rehabilitate them by organizing skills acquisition trainings.
In its efforts to response to the yearnings and aspirations of citizens of the state through improvement in critical sectors of the economy, the Bauchi state Sustainable Development Goals had awarded contract for the execution of 16 projects in schools, health facilities and in some rural areas of the state.
The 16 projects include; the comprehensive renovation of primary schools at Yalwa practicing school in Bauchi local government area, Tagwaje primary school in Darazo local government, central primary school Azare in Katagum local government, the procurement of classroom furniture for Yalwa practicing school in Bauchi and central primary school Azare, Katagum local government area.
Others are the construction of primary health centres in Mansur village, Alkaleri local government, Dunkurmi, Misau local government, Yadure, Giade local government and rehabilitation of others in Dambam, Itas Gadau and Jama’are local government areas.
In addition, the scheme is to intervene in the rehabilitation of solar powered boreholes in Malar village, Bogoro local government area, Sharfuri in Kirfi local government and Mainuri, Zaki local government area.
In order to address environmental challenges facing the state, Governor Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed had flagged off a special sanitation exercise in the state capital where it was attended by the immediate past speaker, House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, Speaker, Bauchi state House of Assembly, Alhaji Abubakar Sulaiman and Emir of Bauchi, Alhaji Rilwanu Sulaimanu Adamu.
The exercise was part of the present administration’s determination to ensure hygienic and healthy environment, as urban and rural plans would be considered part of efforts to ensure clean environment in line with global best practices.
Governor Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed has received in audience, members of wildlife conservation society as part of efforts to boost tourism sector for enhancing the state’s internally generated revenue.
The Governor pledged to review the Memorandum of Understanding signed between the state government and the society for the protection and conservation of facilities at the Yankari Games Reserve.
He expressed dissatisfaction with the current condition of the reserve, and reaffirmed the determination of his administration to come up with strategies for enhancing the capacity and quality of services of the reserve to operate in line with international standards.
The Memorandum of Understanding signed between the two bodies was to ensure effective management of facilities in Yankari Games Reserved in the area of conservation.
As part of its determination to ensure human capital development in critical sectors of the economy,
Bauchi State Government is to sign a Memorandum of Understanding with investors from France.
Governor Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed who disclosed this while receiving in audience, a team of investors from France on human capital development held at government house Bauchi, noted that, the state has suffered due to lack of human capital development in the state civil service.
The MoU was to support the state government reinvents performance among civil servants in the state.
Other events conducted by Governor Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed were the briefing received from all the state’s Ministries, Departments and Agencies to ensure effective implementation of his blue print geared towards providing the required services and infrastructure to the people of the state.
As part of the celebration of the 2019 Democracy Day in Bauchi State, Senator Bala Abdulkadir Muhammad decided to celebrate the day with a visit to strategic places in order to look into the possibility of addressing their challenges.
Places visited were the Bauchi Central Prison, Bauchi Orphanage Center and Bauchi Remand Home where he said a committee for Prerogative of Mercy would be constituted with a view to reviewing pending cases of inmates.
Bauchi state being among the states in the country that were affected by flood disaster this year, the governor directed the State Emergency Management Agency to conduct examination exercise in all the flood areas across the state so as to support them.
The Governor, who paid an assessment visit to areas affected by flood, said already President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the release of 800 million naira for flood rehabilitation in Jama’are local government area of the state.
Senator Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed while in Zaki local government, urged the federal government to as a matter of urgency ensure the full take off of Kafin Zaki Dam project and enjoined the communities involved in the project to resolve amicably, the misunderstanding among them which led to the delay in the take off of the project.
The Governor assured to provide all the necessary support for the project, and suggested the use of technology in order to ensure that all the affected communities get the required opportunities.
To ensure effective implementation of government policies and programmes, Governor Bala has appointed the state’s Commissioners and local government caretaker committee Chairmen.
All these successes were recorded within just 100 days in office. I will conclude the series by stating clearly and without equivocation that Bala Mohammed Kauran Bauchi has achieved in 100 days what successive regimes could not achieve in four years.
May God continue to bless, guide and protect our amiable Governor and the good people of Bauchi state. Happy 100 days, Sir!
Muktar Muhammad Gidado, Senior Special Assistant, Media to Governor Bala Muhammad of Bauchi state chronicles the achievements of his Principal within 100 days in office
