Iliyasu Abdullahi Bah
The Minister of Regional Development, Uba Ahmadu, has commended the North-East Development Commission (NEDC) for its transformative projects in Yobe State while outlining ambitious plans to accelerate socio-economic recovery in the region.
The Minister spoke in Damaturu during the commissioning and handover of key NEDC projects, including a state office, mega schools, ICT centers, and a 250-capacity university auditorium.
Ahmadu praised the NEDC for its role in rehabilitating the North-East, which has been devastated by insurgency.
He noted that the commission’s interventions align with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, aimed at bridging regional disparities.
“The NEDC has demonstrated commendable dedication in rebuilding infrastructure, education, and healthcare in the region.
“Today’s commissioning is a testament to the strong collaboration between federal and state governments,” the Minister stated.
The Managing Director/CEO of NEDC, Mohammed Goni Alkali, highlighted completed projects, including the NEDC Yobe State Office, the first fully operational state office in the region.
He said mega schools in Buni Yadi and Potiskum were also commissioned, complementing an earlier one in Gashua.
He said the ICT centers in Damaturu, Gashua, and Potiskum were unveiled to boost digital skills, while solar-powered street lights were installed to enhance security and economic activities, in addition to 250-seat auditorium at Yobe State University was also handed over to improve academic capacity.
The Minister outlined an eight-point development agenda, focusing on security and stabilization through strengthened peace-building initiatives.
The minister added that education remains a priority, with plans to renovate schools, promote STEM education, and expand ICT hubs.
Ahmadu said vocational training programs will target 1,000 youths per state every six months, while renewable energy initiatives will include solar panel fabrication training.
Healthcare improvements, according to him, will see the construction of 50-bed hospitals per senatorial district and specialized MRI centers.
He further explained that agricultural development and food security projects will cultivate 5,000 hectares per state. Infrastructure projects will reconstruct critical roads and deploy e-vehicles, while humanitarian aid will continue to support displaced persons.
The minister also disclosed that the Federal Government is also exploring transformative projects, such as a North-East Regional Airline to boost connectivity, a rail line linking the region to Calabar Port, and a pharmaceutical company to reduce drug import dependency. An integrated power generation and distribution company is also in the works to address energy shortages.
Representing Governor Mai Mala Buni, the Secretary to the State Government, Baba Malam Wali, thanked the NEDC for its interventions while appealing for more support in road construction, particularly the Damaturu-Mazagum and Gaidam-Bulabulin-Damasak roads.
He also called for the completion of housing projects for displaced persons and expanded water supply and youth empowerment programs.
The event underscored the Federal Government’s commitment to sustainable development in the North-East. With ongoing and future projects, stakeholders expressed optimism that the region would soon reclaim its status as a hub of resilience and prosperity.
