NEDC Newly Reconstituted Governing Board Inspects Multi-Billion Naira Projects In Bauchi
BY KHALID IDRIS DOYA, Bauchi
Ongoing projects being executed by the North East Development Commission (NEDC) worth billions of naira across Bauchi state is being appraised by the Commission’s Governing Board Members and Management led by Major-General Paul Tarfa (rtd) and Managing Director/CEO Mohammed Goni Alkali.
Major-General Paul Tarfa gave the assurance of the project’s quality execution and timely completion for the speedy growth and development of Bauchi state and the subregion in its entity.
Speaking on their visit to Bauchi on Friday, Tarfa said, “Our job is to see projects that have been done and the ones we are about to embark upon. We are here going round all places that are in progress with the hope that all contractors have been on sites and are doing the right thing, and those projects to be embark upon and those on sound footing”.
“So we came to see what is on the ground, what we have started, especially the projects to see to their completion within time. We are also here to ensure that when these projects are finished they are maintained and effectively used for the benefits of the people.”
Tarfa warmed contractors handling the various development projects against compromising the contract specifications.
It could be recalled that Governing board Members and Management of the North East Development Commission was reappointed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu shortly after he assumed office as successor to immediate past President Muhammadu Buhari.
Some of the projects inspected by the team included construction of the Medical Emergency Unit, Ophthalmology complex at Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital (ATBUTH) and construction of the proposed NEDC Mega School where the commission expressed satisfaction with quality of work so far done.
The commission also visited an Ultra-Modern Cattle Market in Soro, Ganjuwa Local Government Area which constructed work was completed since, NEDC 300 Housing unit among other projects.
The Commission however expressed displeasure over what it observed as a substandard project being done by contractors handling the proposed NEDC 300 Housing Unit at Dungal in Bauchi Local Government Area.
Reacting to the situation, the board chairman, Major General Paul Tarfa (rtd), and the managing director of the commission, Alhaji Goni Alkali summoned the construction firm to the Maiduguri office of the commission for likely review of the project activities.
Some of the contractors at the projects sites during the assessment visits also assured the commission of quality, timely and successful execution of the projects, saying they will justify the confidence reposed in them.
Earlier during a homage visit to Emir of Bauchi, Dr. Rilwanu Suleiman Adamu, the Chairman of the North East Development Commission (NEDC), Major General Paul Tarfa (rtd) has said that their coming back on stage of the commission executives is clear indication that their term tenure was on the right track.
Maj-General Tarfa told the Emir of Bauchi, Dr. Rilwanu Suleiman Adamu during a homage to his palace that, “We are in Bauchi in continuation of what we did before during the last four years, and to continue to get the progress of how far we have gone from you, to see again in collaboration with the government of this state what else to do of this historic mission in the North East”.
Tarfa also expressed gratitude for the opportunity the government afforded them to continue doing their good work of the commission so as to propel the rate of growth and development of the Northeast sub-region.
“We are impressed with what is happening in Bauchi in terms of our development projects. On behalf of the board of the commission we are grateful of the opportunity and privilege and also to present to you what we have done in our first tenure in office which we are presenting to you”, Paul Tarfa added.
He assured the emir of the commission’s commitment to vigorously pursue other developmental goals in the sub-region for the benefit of the teeming populace.
The Emir of Bauchi, Dr. Rilwanu Suleiman Adamu while responding described the commission team coming to Bauchi as memorable, and expressed his delight and that of the entire emirate for what he termed as ‘important visit to his palace’.
“I must place it on record that the activities of this commission through the general ruling of the populace, since its establishment cannot be over-emphasized. They have been the stimulants to the development of this region, it bring general improvements to the people. This made the commission team as people of integrity”.
The emir who expressed his trust and confidence on the commission’s team, said that it is his prayer that God the Almighty will continue to bless all their policies and programmes to carry their responsibilities very diligently and effectively.
He explained that it is no longer history that there was a global economic meltdown coupled with the security challenges which affects the general social-well being of the people in the region, saying the governments of the Northeast are working tirelessly doing the needful in the general well-being of the people especially in the areas of security, education, agriculture, among others.
Dr. Rilwanu asked the commission executives to continue doing the good work they have started, render people’s oriented services, and assured them of their support to anything that could bring development to the people of the sub-region.
Highlights of the visit included the presentation by the board chairman on behalf of the management to the emir of Bauchi, a catalogue of activities of the commission in Bauchi state.