* Face Monumental Challenges of Underdevelopment In Northeast, Shettima Tasks Subregion Governors BY KHALID IDRIS DOYA, Bauchi V...
* Face Monumental Challenges of Underdevelopment In Northeast, Shettima Tasks Subregion Governors
BY KHALID IDRIS DOYA, Bauchi
Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima has asked Governors of the Northeast subregion that this is the most appropriate time for them to collate into a single unit to face the monumental challenges of underdevelopment facing the subregion.
"In the North East subregion, more than ever before, this is the time for us to collate into a single unit to face the monumental challenges of underdevelopment facing the subregion".
Senator Kashim Shettima was weekend speaking while commissioning the Bauchi remodeled Government House which project came the legacies of Governor Bala Mohammed, christened in Hausa "Katafila Sarkin Aiki"
The project commissioning which coincided with the 10th regular North East Governors’ Forum meeting held in Bauchi had the Vice President telling them that governance is about inclusivity, reaching out doing the business.
The Vice President who noted that the remodeled Government House edifice can stand the test of time, commended Governor Bala Mohammed for devoting his time, life and energy towards the realization of the project.
Shettima said effective leadership required a conducive working environment that would facilitate formulation and implementation of laudable policies and programmes.
Earlier welcoming the Vice President,the Bauchi state governor Bala Mohammed explained that the remodeled Government House is coming under his administration's urban renewal agenda.
Mohammed who said the former government house was characterized by inadequate space, delafedated structures and unfavorable working environment noted that he was inspired to reconstruct the seat of power under his administration urban renewal initiative.
Bala said project comprises the New Governor’s Office Complex, the Dr. Rilwanu Suleiman Grand Stand, the International Conference Centre, a Standard Banquet Hall, Expansion of Existing Governor’s Residence, and New Senior Staff Residences.
Others are the Government House Clinic, a Mosque, Fire House, Vehicles’ Maintenance Unit, Central kitchen, Shop & Canteen, Power House, Water House, Fuel Service Area, Six (6), Entrance Gate Houses with Armoury, two (2), Pedestrian Gates, an Animal House, Abattoir, Stores, Mini Banquet Hall, external works, roads and Drainages
He expressed gratitude to the Vice President for taking off his time to come and commission the project, saying his presence in Bauchi is a great honor to the state government and its people.
Bala said: "The remodeling of the dilapidated, badly run down and inadequate Government House fell under our infrastructure remediation programme, even as we also identified it as a strategic cornerstone of our ambitious urban renewal agenda.
"Your Excellency, I want to say without equivocation that even before I contemplated running for the office of Governor, I had always considered the previous Government House as an affront to the state, a disservice to the men and women who, due to the tedium of governmental administration, were compelled to spend long hours in the hardly conducive environment. And what about our visitors, those guests, our development partners who have been privileged to interact with other nations and sub-national entities."
"Let me quickly say that, over the years, I have developed the paradigm of “big thinking” in Government. Big thinking allows us to envision the future, to deploy today’s resources in a manner that anticipates the needs of our great grandchildren and not just our children. With big thinking, we avoid the innocent mistakes that limited the vision of our highly patriotic progenitors who built narrow bridges, constructed single lane roads and captured electricity to take care of a limited number of consumers, domestic and corporate. Nigeria and Nigerians are still suffering the consequences of those actions that were taken, obviously, with the best of intentions."
"We have either built new health facilities in some places or renovated already existing primary healthcare centres in others. The package includes supply of the needed medical equipment, and employment of health professionals. Others include construction of numerous roads and heavy bridges linking key towns and villages to facilitate agricultural activities, assist rural dwellers to have easier access to health and other facilities in the urban areas, reduce rural-urban migration, and generally solve the logistical challenges faced by our rural dwellers."
He commended the contractors of Messrs, Architectronix Nigeria Limited firms for job well done, "I therefore wish to congratulate the firm of Messrs. Architectronix Ltd for this laudable effort with the firm assurance that there would be no let in my frequent pressures until the remaining segments of the project especially the iconic International Conference Centre are signed, sealed and delivered."
The event has in attendance six Governors from Northeastern subregion, former Governors of the state, members of the National Assembly, Emirs from within and outside the state among others.
No comments