My attention has been drawn to Mr. Ibrahim’s piece of opinion, published on page 13 of your well-liked newspaper of Thursday March 11, 2021. In the piece, the writer enumerated some abandoned projects of previous administrations being executed by the incumbent governor of Bauchi state, Senator Bala Mohammed.
This thought-provoking write-up obliged me to write about the exemplary leadership qualities of our governor and ultimately jog his memory about some crucial additional abandoned projects of the successive regimes.
Among the notable abandoned projects, is a project designed to build perimeter fencing, gate, staff quarters and other installation equipment at the BRC Radio FM, Azare, in the Katagum Local Government Area of the state, which was initiated in 2013 by the state’s former governor, Malam Isah Yuguda. It was revealed that the reason why the project had been neglected was that the contractor was yet to be paid.
Besides, reviving some moribund companies of the state which were abandoned projects of previous administrations would be good. Among them include Arewa Ceramics Company, Azare Flour Mills and Bauchi Fertilizer Company.
The provision of potable water is among basic amenities to every society. Hence, 65% of Bauchi capital residents are said to be lacking access to sufficient and safe water over the years.
Considering their miserable situation and the fast growing population of the state capital, the governor in collaboration with the World Bank urgently flagged off the project of expanding and rehabilitating the Gubi Dam Conventional Water Treatment Plant to boost water supply in Bauchi metropolis.
The World Bank injected $65.5 million while the state is said to have paid $6.5 million as counterpart fund for the project. This on-going laudable project, which will be expected to be completed by December 2021, will provide potable, sufficient and safe water for the state capital and meet their daily needs.
Finally, I appeal to our governor to promptly address the issues of workers’ salaries, retirees’ entitlements and brand-new policies of the Basic Education Certificate Examination in the state in due time. His political opponents are casting aspersions on all the areas where he has excelled due to these unaddressed issues.
Mustapha Baba Azare, Alkali Musa Street, Bauchi State
