By Suzan Edeh, Bauchi
The reason for the re-election of Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State on May 29, 2023, despite challenges he faced during the 2023 governorship election was because he delivered on his campaign promises in 2019.
His unprecedented achievements during his first term (2019-2023) won the hearts of Bauchi people and they decided to give him another opportunity to consolidate on his previous achievements, which so far, has exceeded the expectations of political watchers, stakeholders in the state and the country at large.
Only recently, the Bauchi State government led a team of journalists, media executives, and government officials on a statewide tour of projects.
The aim of the tour was to showcase the progress and developmental strides of the current administration by allowing journalists to inspect ongoing and completed projects across the state’s local government areas.
Led by the Commissioner for Information and Communication Alhaji Usman Shehu and the Special Adviser on Media, Comrade Mukhtar Gidado, the tour provided direct evidence of infrastructure, healthcare, and social development, thereby enhancing transparency and accountability.
Another reason for the tour was to enable residents share their experiences and perspectives on how the projects have impacted their lives and communities and also to publicly celebrate and disseminate the achievements of the Governor Bala Mohammed-led administration, demonstrating its commitment to grassroots development.
During the media tour, residents trooped out to welcome the media team in all the local governments visited, testifying of transformative drive of the projects in thier various communities.
Erosion Control culvert, saved our lives, Warji residents testifies
The team inspected construction of a large drainage system in Dagu community. The project has saved thousands of lives and properties from the menace of flooding, which had been a long-standing challenge for residents.
One of the residents of Dagu community, Zubairu Mohammed thanked the Governor for all the development projects in the communities of the council area, particularly the construction of erosion control culvert, saying that they have nothing to fear with the coming of the rainy season.
The Executive Chairman of Warji local government area of Bauchi State, Hon Aminu Barmini also commended Governor Bala Mohammed for the developmental and transformational changes in the local government council,particularly for the construction of the erosion control culvert in Dagu community which he noted has helped in curtailing the problem of flooding in the community.
“During Governor Bala Mohammed governorship campaign, he promised the people of Bauchi State that if he won the election, he would transform the state and indeed, he has left no stone unturned in fulfilling his promises to the people of Bauchi, particularly in infrastructural development, rural transformation, health, education, water schemes, rural electrification,” he said
Speaking during the visit, the District Head of Warji, Alhaji Ibrahim Sama’ila, commended Governor Bala Mohammed for giving priority to the development needs of the local government. He noted that the projects will go a long way in improving the living standards of the people.
The media team also inspected key projects, including the Warji ultra-modern General Hospital, which is at an advanced stage of completion. The facility is expected to provide quality healthcare services not only to Warji residents but also to neighboring communities.
The team also inspected the newly completed 19-kilometer road project linking Warji to Gwaram in Jigawa State. The road is expected to ease transportation, boost commerce, and enhance social interaction between the two states.
In Ningi LGA, Governor Bala Mohammed improved road infrastructure
In Ningi LGA, the delegation also inspected the ongoing 22-kilometer dualization of Ningi Central Road, now at 70 percent completion, the 4.2-kilometer Nasaru township road, the newly constructed Ningi District Head’s Palace, and the ongoing renovation and upgrade of the Emir of Ningi’s Palace.
The supervising engineer from the State Ministry of Works, Engr. Sulaiman Iliyasu, explained that the Nasaru township road has been completed within the stipulated time and assured that the central road project will also be delivered within its approved period of 12 dry months.
Hon. Nasiru Zakaria praised the governor for his commitment to grassroots development, noting the 30 kilometers of rural roads linking several communities, the construction and renovation of district head palaces, and multiple interventions in the health and education sectors, these include the Model Primary Health Centre at Nasaru, Ningi East PHC currently under construction, as well as renovated schools such as Tifi Modern Primary School and Kafin Ɗanyaya Primary School.
He also disclosed that the council had provided land for the construction of an e-library in Ningi, awaiting commencement following gubernatorial approval.
In Bogoro, construction of roads ameliorate our hardship, Bogoro residents testifies
Residents of Bogoro LGA say they are now breathing a sigh of relief following the construction of an 11.2 kilometre Boi–Tapshin road, a project which have contributed to the development of the area.
According to reports, communities in the area in the past has been cut off during the rainy season as floods washed away roads and bridges, often leading to loss of lives, painful experiences of being stranded for days and even losing loved ones to flood-related incidents.
A resident of Tapshin known as Istifanus Barde said that they experienced a lot of difficulties particularly during the rainy season because of lack of an access road.
“I am really happy. We are grateful for what this government did for us. This river claimed many lives. All past administrations did not remember us. There was a time a corpse spent two days because people could not cross the road due to flooding.”he said
Similarly, Astra Joy, a resident of Jolom community .near Boi, said she could hardly believe the road was now a reality.
“We are really happy with the construction of this road. We suffered a lot before it came. During the rainy season, we lost many lives because the floods washed them away,” she said.
Residents say beyond easing transportation, the road has restored hope and dignity to their communities long neglected by successive administration.
The road, which was awarded under the state’s Accelerated Road Project initiative, was completed with modern specifications, including a five-span bridge, box and ring culverts, and a 10.3-metre-wide carriageway with shoulders.
Engineer Ado Shehu, Deputy Director (Civil) and Principal Resident Engineer in the Ministry of Works and Transport, who supervised the project, confirmed that the road had been fully delivered according to contract specifications.
“The road has been completed in all aspects of the contract. It has a lifespan of 15 years and links several settlements before terminating at Tapshin, which borders Plateau State. It is a critical route for trade and movement in this region,” he said.
The project, already handed over after a 12-month maintenance period by the contractor, is expected to boost economic activities and improve safety for the communities.
In Tafawa Balewa, Governor Bala Mohammed legacies
In Tafawa Balewa, the team inspected township roads in Bununu, the renovation of the District Head’s Palace in Zwal, and the Village Head’s Palace in Bununu.
The delegation observed both state and local government projects, including the renovation of the secretariat and the Emir’s Palace.
Receving the media team at the local government Secretariat, the Executive Chairman Tafawa Balewa LGA, Alhaji Sama’ila Wakili commended Governor Bala Mohammed for executing relevant projects in council area which include the construction of a police area command in Boto, Tafawa Balewa LGA, the supply of classroom furniture at the Government Girls Secondary School, and various road projects.
Dass, people oriented projects have impacted the people, says Leadership
The Emir of Dass, His Royal Highness Usman Bilyaminu Othman, commended governor Bala Mohammed for the people-oriented projects, saying that his the projects have transformed the lives of the people in the council area.
“The governor has touched virtually every aspect of life, especially in the three most important areas: roads, healthcare, and education. In Dass, rural feeder roads have advanced, health facilities have been upgraded to the required standard, and schools have been improved. He has also remembered the traditional system by remodeling and upgrading the palaces of all six first-class emirs, renovating over 40 palaces of district heads, and more than 300 ward heads across the state.
“This is something we will never forget. He has done many legacy projects, including the Government House, which was left unattended for over 40 years. We are grateful.” he said
The Emir further thanked the Governor for the construction the road linking Dass to Rimin Zayam and Nabordo in Toro, saying they faced challenges to reach the area, but with the new road, it has made their journey easy and stress free.
The Chairman of Dass Local Government Area, Hon. Mohammed Jibo, also thanked the governor for initiating and completing many capital projects. He listed the establishment of the College of Education (Technical) in Dass, provision of tractors for farming, renovation and furnishing of the Local Government Secretariat, and the renovation of Dass General Hospital among the key interventions.
He noted that communities are happy following the construction of the ongoing on roads neglected by previous administrations, including Abujan Raman to Bakin Kogi, Bayan Fada to Bundot Kasuwa Juma’at, Baraza, Durr to Dado, Lukshi, and Zumbul to Bazali, among other rural feeder and township roads.