Buni administration records gains in agriculture, infrastructure, security — SSG
By Ahmed Abba
The Yobe Government says it has recorded significant progress in agriculture, infrastructure, security, education and healthcare during the seven years of Gov. Mai Mala Buni’s administration.
The Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Dr Mohammed Goje, stated this while briefing journalists in Damaturu on Friday as part of activities marking the administration’s seventh anniversary.
The anniversary celebration is themed: “Seven Years of Continuity, Consolidation and Transformational Leadership.”
Goje said the government had prioritised agriculture as a critical sector because it remained the main source of livelihood for more than 80 per cent of the state’s population.
He said the administration organised an Agricultural Summit in 2019 and subsequently developed the state’s first comprehensive agricultural policy to guide sectoral development.
According to him, the government distributed 7,500 metric tonnes of NPK fertiliser to farmers at subsidised rates and procured an additional 1,500 metric tonnes to support irrigation farming.
He added that 40 Massey Ferguson tractors were also acquired to improve agricultural mechanisation and increase food production.
The SSG said the administration had strengthened livestock development through the establishment of Ruga settlements, construction of an Animal Research Institute along Potiskum Road and development of Livestock Development Centres in partnership with the Federal Government.
On environmental management, Goje said the government executed the Damaturu Waterway Project and constructed strategic culverts in Ngalda to address flooding challenges.
He added that the reconstruction of the Alagarno Flood Control Gate had further enhanced the state’s resilience against climate-related disasters.
Goje said the government had also sustained efforts to improve security through close collaboration with security agencies and provision of operational support.
He said more than 200 motorcycles and 60 patrol vehicles were procured, while military facilities were rehabilitated and over 100 personnel trained in security intelligence.
The SSG said major infrastructure projects undertaken by the administration included the Damaturu Flyover, dualisation of the 26-kilometre Damaturu-Kalallawa Road and construction of township roads across the 17 local government areas.
In the education sector, he said the government constructed seven Mega Schools and seven Model Schools, expanded tertiary education facilities and awarded scholarships to more than 48,000 students.
Goje said the administration had also transformed healthcare delivery through the construction of 143 Primary Healthcare Centres and upgrading of general hospitals to specialist hospitals.
He added that more than 350,000 residents had been enrolled under the Yobe State Contributory Healthcare Management Agency (YSCHMA) health insurance scheme.
The SSG said the achievements reflected the administration’s commitment to sustainable development, effective governance and improved living conditions for residents.
He reaffirmed the government’s resolve to consolidate on the gains recorded and sustain development across all sectors of the state’s economy.
