It is no exaggeration to say Yobe State is fast recovering from the huge economic and infrastructural loss it suffered from the protracted Boko Haram insurgency which bedevilled the state for about a decade.
The state suffered wanton destruction of private and public properties including schools, health facilities, water sources, electricity supply, and many others by the insurgency.
When Governor Maimala Buni assumed Office on 29th May, 2019, he was conscious of the task that lays ahead and the people’s expectation towards meeting their needs in the face of a challenging poor resources.
The Governor who was not deterred by the daunting challenges, carefully mapped out home grown measures to address the peculiarities of the state to promote peace, security, infrastructural development and economic empowerment.
He described the new mandate as an opportunity to improve the lives of the people through the mantra of continuity, Consolidation and innovation to make Yobe State achieve its full potentials to greatness.
“I pledge not to betray the trust and confidence the good people of Yobe State reposed in me. I hereby renew the pledge to serve the State to the best of my ability and with utmost sense of responsibility”.
The Governor therefore informed that his government will explore and exploit new avenues and opportunities , policies and programmes, locally, nationally and, internationally to expand existing structures for delivering of dividends of democracy to the people.
Addressing the people in his inaugural speech, Governor Buni promised to center on security, healthcare delivery, education, economic growth and youth empowerment among others.
Buni assured to establish a functional Primary Healthcare Center in each of the 178 political wards across the state. Already, 53 out of the proposed 178 Primary Healthcare Centers have been completed within one year. Each of the centers has a consulting room, labour room, make and female wards, well stocked pharmacy and staff quarters to ensure the presence of medical personnel every time.
In line with the government policy on industrialization, this administration is providing the friendly investment climate and promoting Public Private Partnership (PPP) to attract foreign direct investment to the State.
Similarly, government has resuscitated three dormant industries namely, Sahel Aluminium company, Yobe Flour and Feed mills and, the Damaturu Polythene bags all owned by the state government. They have all been rehabilitated and in optimal production thereby creating employment opportunities and increasing the revenue base of the state.
The Buni administration is strategizing to take advantage of the new Damaturu International Airport nearing completion to transport raw materials and finished products from and into the state, will improve the economy of the state .
The declaration of state of emergency on basic and secondary education by the Buni administration to build a solid foundation to education has no doubt won the hearts of members of the academic community and parents. An education summit was organized which produced a technical committee under the leadership of Prof. Mala Daura, a versatile educationists, administrator, former Vice Chancellor University of Maiduguri and currently Vice Chancellor Yobe state University in which short term, intermediate and long term reports were presented to the governor.
The suggestions contained in the short term report are being implemented which translated in the construction of model schools, rehabilitation of existing classrooms etc have been executed. Teachers have been retrained and promoted to boost their morale.
Other feat achieved by the present leadership in Infrastructural development especially road construction includes the already completed Babangida commissioned 11th March 2020 while, Buni Yadi township roads and drainages was commissioned on 20th February 2020. Jajimaji in Karasuwa Local Government Area road and Damagum have been completed and awaiting inauguration.
“This administration would continue to invest in road projects to open up more communities through the construction of additional urban and semi urban roads and drainages as well as provide more roads to villages to ease movement of agricultural produce, livestock and other services to enhance economic development of the State” Governor Buni assured.
Others slated for construction include Gujba-Ngalda road, Daura-Maluri-Maiduwa roads, Tikau-Jajere and, completion of the Yusufari-Machina Trans Sahel road. “We shall extend this to many other communities as we intend to execute them in phases” he said.
The construction of Ultra Modem Markets and Vehicle Terminus in Damatum, Potiskum, Geidam, Gashua, Nguru, Buni Yadi and Ngalda would no doubt spur economic growth in the various communities.
Alhaji Abdullahi Mohammed, a trader, describedGovernor Maimala Buni administration as fulfilling and promising. “The Governor has within the last one year lived up to our expectations, we will continue to support him to actualize his ambition of improving the lives of the people of the state.”
The one storey 200 bed capacity building at the School of Nursing and Midwifery and the maternal and new born structure under construction will no doubt also contribute to healthcare delivery in the state.
Mamman Mohammed, Director General Press Affairs and Media to the Governor, expressed satisfaction with the pace of work going on across the state.
“The commitment of the Mai Mala Buni administration towards economic, social and infrastructural recovery of the state is unprecedented and non negotiable.
“I am confident that the Governor will achieve his set target having achieved these much within 12 months and l want to specially appreciate the good people of Yobe state for supporting and encouraging the Governor Mai Mala Buni administration” the said.