By Ndahi Marama, Maiduguri

The Minister of State for Regional Development, Maigari Uba in company of Governor Babagana Zulum among other stakeholders, have commissioned 13 projects executed by North East Development Commission (NEDC) across communities of Borno state.

The exercise which took place on Wednesday were witnessed by the Chairman House Committee on NEDC and member representing Gubio/Magumeri/Kaga federal constituency, Borno state, Hon Usman Zannah, Chairman Board of the Commission, Major General Paul Tarfa (Rtd), Managing Director NEDC, Alhaji Mohammed Goni Alkali and other dignitaries.

Unveiling the projects, the Minister
reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to supporting relief and long-term resilience efforts, noting that, the Ministry of Regional Development (MRD) was established by His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, to coordinate and drive inclusive development across the six- geopolitical zones.

He expressed his deepest condolences to the government and people of Borno State over the recent loss of lives and displacement resulting from the tragic flooding incident due to the spill from the Alau Dam.

His words: “The establishment of the NEDC was borne out of the need to rebuild and stabilize the region after years of insurgency and economic disruption. It reflects our shared vision for sustainable peace, development, and prosperity in the North East.

“Today’s handing over of completed projects by the NEDC is a testament to that vision. It aligns with the broader North East Stabilization and Development Plan (NESDP) and the 25-year Borno State Development Master Plan, which provides a long-term framework for social, infrastructural, and economic transformation”. He said.

In an interview with Newsmen after the projects commissioning and handover, Governor Babagana Zulum commend the Minster and the NEDC for well deserved interventions.

He disclosed that most of the projects executed are people oriented and will complement efforts of his administration meeting the yearning and aspirations of the citizenry.

Also in his remarks, the Chairman House Committee on NEDC, and member representing Gubio/Magumeri/Kaga federal constituency of Borno state, who also represented the Chairman Senate Committee on NEDC, Kaka Shehu Lawan (SAN), Borno Central, and on behalf of 56 Honourable members co-opted into the Commission pledged for maximum support and cooperation with the ministry, NEDC and Borno state government in addressing the humanitarian challenges posed by over decade insurgency in the region.

The Managing Director of the Commission, Alhaji Alkali in his address enumerated over 70 completed projects which cut across roads/drainage networks, healthcare, agriculture, empowerment, education among other sectors.

He added that 13 newly executed projects include; the newly constructed and furnished Police Stations and Barracks in Bama and Konduga local government areas, upgraded Borno State Central Medical Store, now meeting pharma-grade standards with full cold chain systems was also commissioned and handed over to Borno State Government.

Also commissioned and handed over was the renovated Male and Female Wards at the Federal Neuropsychiatric and Borno State Dental Hospitals all in Maiduguri, the state capital, a fully equipped Borno State Eye Hospital and Ultra-Modern Clinic at premises of Department of State Security (DSS) Command, complete with ambulance and solar power lights located along Maiduguri-Kano road were also commissioned and handed over to beneficiaries.

More so, a 129.6kWh solar hybrid mini-grid and a 360kWh backup generator, 60 functional boreholes for serving water-scarce communities across the state were commissioned, this is in addition to
3,500 solar-powered streetlights installed across strategic locations to enhance public safety and security.

Likewise, building materials such as blocks, roofing sheets (zinc), nails and other were equally handed over the Borno State Government, in addition to commissioning of ICT Centre for about 1,000 students of Federal Polytechnic Monguno and Borno Agency for Mass Literacy, Maiduguri, as well as another handing over of office equipment to Borno High Court in Maiduguri.