Bauchi: Renewal beyond hype

The architect of modern Bauchi state, as he has come to be known, the fifth democratically elected governor of Bauchi state, Mohammed Abdullahi Abubakar Esq., is a different man and misunderstood by many people. Gov. Abubakar is known as an outstanding pacesetter in all that he sets outs to achieve for himself and   of the […]

The architect of modern Bauchi state, as he has come to be known, the fifth democratically elected governor of Bauchi state, Mohammed Abdullahi Abubakar Esq., is a different man and misunderstood by many people.

Gov. Abubakar is known as an outstanding pacesetter in all that he sets outs to achieve for himself and   of the state, an exceptional prudent financial manager and public administrator of repute.

Despite paucity of funds, his administration has recorded tremendous successes.

According to him, when he took over the mantle of leadership of Bauchi state on 29 May 2015, he inherited an empty treasury and arrears of four months salaries owed the Bauchi state workers by his predecessor and outstanding gratuities worth over N15 billion which he had to settle.

He said the last administration left behind a government owing cumulative external and domestic debts to the tune of over N100 billion made up of; domestic loans N48, 743, 196, 021. 79; foreign loans $87,572,428.69 and contractual liabilities N41, 556, 123, 229.05 as well as gratuity arrears (State Govt) N7, 741, 016, 737. 19; gratuity arrears (Local Govt) N6, 924, 783, 007. 92 and total salary arrears: N106, 635, 526, 769. 95 and $87, 572, 428. 69.

On the other hand and from records available so far showed that a total of about N583 billion (excluding Ecological Fund) had, however, accrued to Bauchi State in the 8 years of the previous administration, yet, rather than discussing consolidation upon gains, the new leadership in Bauchi State, sourcing means to commence the initial stages of basic development in the midst of huge indebtedness, poor human capital and deteriorating environmental conditions. 

The state government released six hundred million naira as counterpart contribution for the 2015 CGS project; constructed 19 primary health centres fitted with VIP toilets and staff quarters across the state; drilled and installed 33 solar powered boreholes across the state; constructed 57 hand pump fitted boreholes; supplied 6 ambulances; supplied hospital equipment to the 19 PHC across the state; and released thirty-six million naira as counterpart funding for the 2015 YESSO programme.

The M.A. administration also released N2,422,100.00 as logistics support for the conduct of 2017 digital training for youth empowerment for 2,340 unemployed youth in Bauchi state.

Despite the economic melting, the state government was able to meet its obligation of sourcing 50% of UBEC counterpart funds for the 2014 and 2015 UBEC matching grants.

The state has benefitted a lot from the UBEC special intervention projects, which was largely due to the political commitment and enabling environment provided by the State Government.

Within the span of two years of the Governor Mohammed Abubakar administration, the sum of three hundred and thirty-five million, nine hundred and twenty thousand, one hundred and four naira was approved and released to the Bauchi State Scholarship Board for ICT portal maintenance, 2015 and 2016 NUBASS national conventions and elections, overseas scholarship, BEA, NCE, and JCC, local scholarship, law students’ allowances, verification of new students and other charges.

Bauchi indigenes have not failed to realize the effort of the Governor in the areas of the agriculture, water resources, boosting state agricultural development programme, and in the health sector, the healthcare development agency has also been revitalized.

Education is no doubt a key sector, hence the upgrading of  the Aminu Saleh College of Education, Azare, Bauchi state university, Gadau, CLIS Misau, Bauchi State College of Agriculture, College of Education, Kangere, and Abubakar Tatari Ali Polytechnic, Bauchi.

 In its determined effort to provide safe water for domestic use and agricultural activities, the state government has released the sum of 111.9 million naira as government’s counterpart cash contribution for the construction of 300 hand pump boreholes in 300 communities of Shira and Toro LGAs. This has ensured the continued funding from the Department for International Development (DID). The state government is also working assiduously in collaboration with development partners to provide safe drinking water and sanitation to people in the state.

In terms of basic infrastructure the Bauchi State executive council has approved the award of contracts for the construction, rehabilitation and dualisation of 175.312 kilometre road projects across the State at the cost of N20, 487, 000, 445.58. These roads include the dualization of 2.5 Kilometre Awalah roundabout to Kano road and 2.5 kilometer road from Awalah roundabout to Kano road in Bauchi metropolis at the cost of N1, 183, 155, 988.78

Rehabilitation and construction of some selected roads in Bauchi include rehabilitation of Gombe road (Gate to Bauchi State House of Assembly junction. 2.6 kilometre), Ibrahim Bako Housing Estate Road (Main Access road, Road A, B & C. 2.40km), Awalah Roundabout to Central Market Roundabout (Ran Road. 3.00 kilometre), Tafawa Balewa Housing Estate (Main access Road and Road A. 1.35 kilometre), Abubakar Tatari Ali Polytechnic Road 1 (0.75 kilometre), Abubakar Tatari Ali Polytechnic Road 2 (1.50 kilometre), total of 11.60 kilometres at the cost of N1,957,519,297.53.

The government also awarded, among several road projects, contract for the complete rehabilitation of Misau-Bulkachuwa-Udubo road project at the cost of N4, 719, 345, 971.94; extension of Misau-Bulkachuwa-Udubo road project to Gamawa, linking up with the road leading to Zaki local government, and award of contract for the rehabilitation of Murtala Muhammed Way (from CBN roundabout – Federal Low-cost – Railway Road) at the cost of N2,323,679,294.33.

It also award of contract for the design and construction of 1.3km link road at Fadaman Mada at the cost of N298, 596, 929. 40 and; and the improvement of the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa International Airport, as well as provision of 300 million naira and 650 hectares of land by the Bauchi State government for the payment of compensation to the Nigerian Air Force for the establishment of an Air Force Base in Bauchi.

The Judiciary as the arm of government that has the primary responsibility of interpreting and adjudicating laws of the land was not neglected.

From the inception of the administration of Governor Mohammed Abubakar, government has completed the construction and furnishing of new Chief Judge’s Chamber.

Approval was granted and work commenced for the construction of High Court Complex phase 11. Work on this project comprises 8 court houses of international standard has reached 70% completion.

Beyond media hype, Bauchi residents and the people in general can for sure feel the presence of the government.  Therefore the changing tide of politics of development in Bauchi is no doubt a turning point.

While some residents of the state say they expected much from the APC government, they stressed that in 2019, only politicians like M.A. Abubakar would only be voted for based on their performances regardless of their political platforms.

Mohammed Abdul wrote this piece from Bauchi.