Take ownership of NEDC projects, FG urges Gombe communities
By Osagie Peter
The Federal Government has urged residents of Gombe State to take ownership of all North East Development Commission (NEDC)’s projects in their communities by protecting and ensuring their full utilisation.
The Minister of State for Regional Development, Alhaji Uba Maigari Ahmadu, made the call during the inauguration of competed projects as well as inspection of several ongoing ones across Gombe State.
Ahmadu while inaugurating the several projects in different key sectors, ranging from health, education, agriculture, infrastructure, among others, said the projects would improve the wellbeing of the residents.
He said that the Federal Government prioritised improved funding to address critical challenges confronting the North-East, particularly in the area of security, hence expressed satisfactory with how NEDC had used the funds in meeting the needs of the people of the state and region.
He said the government accorded attention to all sectors in the country, in line with the Bola Tinubu’s administration’s commitment to national development.
“I call on the communities where these projects have been executed to take ownership of the projects and keep them in good condition.
“There is need for you all to maintain the structures exactly as they are at the time of inauguration for the benefit of everyone.”
The Minister further stated that the projects, if properly utilised, would strengthen healthcare delivery, expand educational infrastructure, and improve the welfare of citizens in line with the desire of Mr President.
Ahmadu commended President Tinubu and NEDC for its timely intervention and for bringing critical infrastructure and development to the grassroots to improve the socio-economic wellbeing of residents of the state.
He announced additional funding of N2 billion for each of the mega schools in the state.
“I’ve just been informed that in addition to the wonderful work, the Ministry of Regional Development, overseeing the North East Development Commission, has also allocated N2 billion to each of the Mega Schools spread across the state. I think this is very, very commendable,” the Minister said.
On his part, Dr Manassah Jatau, the Deputy Governor of Gombe State, expressed gratitude to President Tinubu, the Ministry of Regional Development and NEDC for providing the projects, noting that they would aid learning and contribute to better health outcomes for residents.
Jatau said that the state government was happy because the NEDC had utilised the plot allocated to them within a short period of time, to complement governance at all levels.
He added that the government was ready to allocate additional plots to the NEDC if needed for any intervention.
The deputy governor assured that whatever had been done would be sustained, while calling on communities where the various projects have been executed to maintain the facilities.
He added that the projects were “excellent”, hence urged the community to take full ownership and maximise the benefits of the projects for the good of humanity.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the NEDC Board, Major General Paul Tarfa (Rtd), expressed satisfaction with the inspected projects, while reiterating the need for beneficiaries to ensure proper maintenance.
Also, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the NEDC, Mr Mohammed Goni Alkali, appreciated the Gombe State Government for donating the land on which the NEDC office was built and urged strict maintenance to ensure durability and effective service delivery.
Our Correspondent reports that part of the projects inaugurated included a 40-bed capacity maternity Bogo Quarters, Akko Local with delivery room, antenatal and post-natal rooms, theatre, preparation rooms, side rooms and a dispensary, aimed at improving maternal and child healthcare services at the grassroots.
Also inaugurated is the Central Medical Stores equipped with cold rooms, offloading bays, sorting areas and offices to enhance medical supply management and distribution across the state.
At Gombe State University, four newly constructed lecture halls, each with a 150-seat capacity, were inaugurated . The facilities are expected to ease pressure on existing classrooms and improve learning conditions for students.
Rehabilitated Government Secondary School (GSS) Malam Sidi in Kwami LGA, where structures including, 19 blocks of classrooms, an administrative block, a 250-capacity examination hall, student hostels, laboratories, staff quarters, library, dining facilities, perimeter fencing and a gatehouse were rehabilitated.
Other projects inaugurated include a 250-bed student hostel at Government Science Technical College, Kumo; a 40-bed maternity complex in Billiri LGA; mega schools in Kaltungo, Dukku and Dadinkowa/Yolde Deba LGAs; and a 250-bed capacity student hostel at the College of Health Sciences and Technology, Kaltungo.
Also, major projects at the Federal Teaching Hospital (FTH), Gombe, were inspected, including the establishment of an MRI housing facility awaiting equipment installation, construction of a 180-bed student hostel, an ENT complex, and a fully equipped trauma centre featuring theatres, consulting rooms, triage and observation areas, burns unit, diagnostic rooms and offices.
