…..disburses N1 billion to SMSEs

Lay foundation for 600 Housing Units worth N18 billion

By Ndahi Marama, Maiduguri

Borno State governor, Professor Babagana Zulum has commissioned a multi billion naira Eye and Dental Hospitals and Permanent site of 30 classrooms storey building at Government Secondary School Miringa in Biu local government area.

The new school has 4 Laboratories, administrative block, staff offices, security post and other sporting/recreation facilities.

The 56-bed capacity eye hospital has two operational theatres, consulting rooms, administrative office complex, male and female wards, while the dental hospital has an edifice equipped with same facilities needed to provide dental care to the people both situated along Biu- Maiduguri road.

This is in addition to support of N1 billion for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and vulnerable households selected from Biu and Hawul local government areas.

The Governor also laid foundation for construction of 600 units of two bedroom semi detached houses which would cost the state government N18 billion and to be completed before the end of this year.

He said out of this new project, 100 housing unit are to be sited each in Biu, Gubio, Magumeri, Hawul and Borno State University Teaching Hospital (BOSUTH) in Maiduguri, with clinic, sporting site, roads and drainages, and other social amenities mainly for teachers and health workers as beneficiaries.

His words: “In fulfilment of our electioneering campaign promises were to construct eye and dental hospitals in Borno South and Borno North senatorial districts, I am delighted that the one in Borno South has been actualised today, and very soon, that of Borno North will follow to complement that.

“Borno State Government under my Distinguished leadership will continue to partner with Dangote, Milinda and Gate Foundations to provide qualitative and affordable health care services across the state.

“Let me commend the federal government under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for bringing lasting peace in our dear state.

“As for the N1 billion to be disbursed, 5,603 SMES in Biu will receive N100,000 each, while, 1,800 youth in Biu, 2,000 SMEs and vulnerable families from Hawul local government area, in addition to 2,000 SMES from surrounding communities in Biu will also benefit from the gesture”. Zulum stated.

Shading more light on the 600 housing unit construction, the Governor said, already, a total of N9 billion has been set aside for mobilization to ensure speedy and interrupted execution of the project by the contractors.

In his welcome address, Chief Medical Director Hospital Management Board, Professor Abubakar Ali Kullima, said “the newly commissioned hospitals are not only a Centre for service provision, but also a centre for training and retraining of health workers on Eye and Dental services, because, they are fully equipped with modern and sophisticated equipments”.

Also in his remarks, the Commissioner of Health and Human Services, Professor Baba Mallam Gana, said, Borno is the only state in Nigeria that has established and fully equipped Eye and Dental Hospital in its Senatorial zone (Southern Borno).

He noted that “the health sector is a complex ecosystem which has been given much more priority by the present administration. Today is another milestone in advancing state of health care in the state through the commitment and dedication shown by governor Zulum.

” It is worthy to note that 15% of our annual budget since 2024 to-date is been allocated to the health sector, and this has make it possible to achieve Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and tackle issues related to maternal mortality across the state.

“Very soon, we are launching comprehensive program to address malnutrition and the use of technology in health services, infact we have started it at the Borno State Specialist Hospital radiology department, medical records among other sections”. Prof Gana stated.

In his goodwill message, the Emir of Biu, HRH Alhaji Umar Mustapha Umar II, appreciated God Almighty for the opportunity given to him and his subjects to witness official commissioning of people- centred projects in the Emirate.

He commended governor Zulum for all his developmental strides since he assumed office in 2019 to date, which according to him, the numerous projects executed have impacted positively on the lives of the citizenry.

However, while taking the Governor round the newly commissioned Miringa Secondary School, Commissioner of Education, Technology and Innovation, Engr. Abba Wakilbe said, apart from distribution of over 1,000 bicycles to students, each would be given Textbooks, exercise books, computer, set of uniform among other learning materials to encourage school enrollment.