NEDC: Zulum lauds NERI, seeks further action from donor agencies

Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum has appealed for more collaborations from donor agencies as demonstrated by North East Regional Initiative NERI, through its parent body USAID and its Office Transition Initiative (OTI).

The State Governor, represented by the Honourable Commissioner of Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajiya Zuwaira Gambo dropped this message during the close- out ceremony of the body held in Maiduguri, Borno State capital.

The Governor who expressed gratitude on the efforts of NERI in the Borno, Adamawa,Yobe states (BAY), says such move had nipped in the bud, the proliferation of security related challenges in the areas.

According to Borno State Governor, “amidst challenges of insecurity” , his administration has recorded so much in all areas of human endeavours, security of lives and properties, infrastructural developement to improve the welfare of the people.

Zulum says the return of peaceful atmosphere to Borno state, brought about quick restoration of activities to the local government areas, and the plans to conduct the forthcoming local government elections in November.

‘We have tackled 326 capital projects and 49 programmes. Presently 6554 sub urban and low cost houses in 12 Local Government Areas for the resettlement of internally displaced persons are under construction.’

‘On Security, 300 surveillance vehicles have been distributed to security agencies and volunteers, these vehicles were captured under one project.
On education, 76 projects were carried out including establishment of 21 new schools in 13 LGAs. Under Health, we executed 46 projects which include 37 new primary health care centers in 17 LGAs.’

‘On infrastructure, there are 40 projects in 9 LGAs and they include 30 new and rehabilitated roads including the construction of Borno’s first flyover in Maiduguri.’

‘It may interest our distinguished guests that we have successfully restored activities in the local government areas with Council Chairmen elections scheduled for 28th November, 2020.
38 capital projects on water supply including the drilling of 213 new boreholes, 18 projects on electrification, 8 on agriculture and 7 on vocational skills and entrepreneurship development.’

The Governor noted the giant strides of NERI in Borno State geared towards restoration of peace,provision of adequate security, infrastructure, communication, sports and other notable developmental efforts

‘Indeed the list is inexhaustible but we sincerely acknowledge the tremendous support we have enjoyed from our partners and today as NERI holds her close out ceremony, I wish to place on record the gigantic projects done by them.’

‘These include but not limited to:
Excavation of trenches and Installation of Concertina in the Borno States garrison towns to provide community perimeter security in Monguno, Damasak, Gubio, Dikwa, Bama, Pulka and here Shuwa Tomri- Behind the Maiduguri International airport.
Installations of Security Solar Powered Streetlights for ease of night surveillance in the garrison towns and villages Mulai, Dikwa and Damasak.’

‘Rehabilitation and Furnishing of Police Stations and Living Quarters to help fast tract restoration of civil law at Damasak and Bama.
Drilling and Rehabilitation of 15 Portable Water Boreholes MMC, JERE and KAGA LGA
Rehabilitated and Equipped destroyed facilities in Basic, Secondary and Tertiary Schools e.g the Libraries and toilet facilities in GGC, GGSS and GG Yerwa, Maiduguri.
Restoration of Telecommunication Networks in Monguno, Dikwa, Bama and Gubio LGAs.’

‘Establishment of Community Radio Stations in strategic LGAs to help increase easy access to information in Damasak, Moguno and Biu as well as supported the Local Media Broadcasting Station (BRTV Radio and TV) with High-Tech communication equipment to strengthen efficiency
Establishment and equipping of Community Peace, Dialogue and Advocacy Centres
Rehabilitation and Equipping of the Women Development Centrer in Maiduguri
Establishment of Women for Peace Platforms in LGAs to increase women participation and voice
Supported Food security and empowerment across various LGAs’

According to Zulum,the contributions to sports,cultural exhibitions among Communities in the state had encouraged social cohesion and reconciliation in the state.

The support of the world ravaged COVID-19 pandemic through establishment of response and islolation centres in four local government areas had assisted to tackle the new scourge

‘Organized sports and cultural exhibitions in communities to strengthen social cohesion and reconciliation.
Supported COVID-19 response with equipping the 4 isolation centers one in BIU, Gamboru Ngala, Damasak with supplies and 100 KVAs generators.’

He says the state government is ever ready to sustain the current achievements and ensured the full and uncompromised peace return to Borno State.

‘We remain steadfast in ensuring that peace returns to every part of Borno State, despite the challenges. Indeed, no stone will be left unturned in this drive. ‘

Borno State Governor however, appealed to the donor agencies which include NERI, USAID and OTI to extend their operations in the state and other parts of North -East untill peace is fully attained in the areas.

‘On this note I am appealing to USAID/OTI and NERI to please extend its stay in the State especially during the resettlement phase.’

The Governor opined that this efforts will guarantee the security dynamics across the North- East of Borno,Adamawa and Yobe states.

‘On behalf of the Government and people of Borno State,I most sincerely appreciate NERI’s contextual understanding of the contours of violent extremism and the aspirations of communities in the North East in general and Borno in particular, by developing and implementing various activities across the BAY States to support locally driven efforts to strengthen stability and deny violent extremists the space they need to operate and proliferate.’