Gombe Forum Praises NEDC Commendable Projects

 

By Khalid Idris Doya

The Chairman Gombe State Unity and Development Mandate Forum (GSUDMF) Alhaji Salihu Magaji has commended the managing-director/chief executive of North East Development Commission NEDC Alhaji Ibrahim Goni Alkali for the laudable projects executed in the state and region.

In a press release issued to journalists in Bauchi on Tuesday, Magaji said the commission came up with a series of activities to revamp hospitals, schools and empower farmers in Gombe State after conducting a needs assessment of all the 11 local governments to know the needs and aspirations of the citizens.

Magaji said on capital projects, the commission is currently constructing 500 houses for the less privileged people with the first phase of 250 houses ongoing, the project which is being done across the region is meant to shut down Internally Displaced Persons Camps and reintegrate them into the society.

Likewise, a lot of humanitarian programmes were carried out by the commission in parts of the state which include training of youth and women on skills acquisitions among others.

He said, “When one examined the developmental and humanitarian projects carried out by the commission in Gombe State intervened in various aspects in the state particularly in the areas of health care, agricultural, education, infrastructural development and human empowerment, NEDC carried out various intervention with zeal patriotic, passion and commitment to bring succour to the people.”

“The commission provided solar light at the most important units of the Gombe Specialists Hospital to enhance efficiency in service delivery and ensure that patients receive better attention. These units which need constant light including administration block, Emergency, Gynae and Paediatric wards were provided with solar light by the NEDC.”

“Alkali provided 500 KVA Generator to the Federal Teaching Hospital in the state even as it is currently constructing a befitting Trauma Centre at the facility. In addition to that, it renovated many of the dilapidated primary health care centres up to standard, especially those in Nafada, Shongom and Funakaye local government areas.” 

He further said, the commision also purchased 2, 000 doses of anti venom drugs and donated to Snake Bite hospital in Kaltungo local government which helps victims of snake bites from Gombe and neighboring states.

Magaji said in agriculture Alkali built farm centres in four local governments of Kwami, Dukku, Billiri and Balanga with stores, tractors, fertilizer for sale or lease to farmers.

Magaji said, “NEDC established six nursery centres for production of seedlings in Gombe, Kwami, Nafada, Kaltungo and Funakaye local government areas as part of measures to encourage tree planting and tackle erosion which is a serious problem in the state.”

Magaji said Alkali recorded successes in the area of education in which he built a 480 rooms hostel for students as its support in the three mega schools built by the commission in the three senatorial zones of the state. According to him the commision also built six laboratories, 16 classrooms in each of the schools and took care of the fencing,he is constructing one kilometer road each in the mega schools.

“The commision constructed one block of three classrooms in the 11 local governments of the state. They awarded contracts for construction of Science and Arts Complex at the Federal University Kashere, Hostel for medical students of Gombe State University, library for State Polytechnic in Bajoga and some classes at the College of Legal Studies in Nafada.

“Contracts were also awarded by the Alkali for the provision of solar light at the Federal College of Education, Gombe, Clinics at College of Education Billiri and Entrepreneurship Education and Development (EED) Centre at College of Horticulture, Dadin Kowa.”

Chairman said, “Because of the numerous projects executed by the commission in Gombe State, which makes him an indigent of the state, we are appealing to our emirs and chiefs to give traditional title to Alkali because of the numerous achievements and projects sites in their domain.”