By Segun Adewale, Bauchi
Every aspect of socio -economic and political life in Bauchi State, is no doubt feeling the rising tempo of infrastructure development released by the incumbent administration of Governor Bala Abdukadir Mohammed.
Political analysts and watchers of Bauchi politics and governance as well as residents in the state are of the opinion that since the inception of the nation’s current democratic dispensation, the Bala Mohammed -led administration is indeed, a classic example of transformative leadership. Scores of highly impactful projects have been completed. At the same time, many are ongoing, all helping to expand citizens’ access to quality education, healthcare, quality water supply, affordable housing, transportation and improved agricultural productivity, among others.
Recently, a delegation of journalists from Bauchi State led by the state Commissioner of Information and Communications, Hon Usman Shehu Usman, accompanied by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Publicity, Comrade Mukhtar Gidado, senior officials, and media practitioners were on official inspection visits to all the 20 Local Government Areas (LGAs) of the state to assess completed and ongoing projects executed by the State Governor, Senator Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed within the areas in the last six years.
The visit also formed part of the state government’s policy of promoting transparency, accountability, and public awareness on developmental initiatives.
Our Correspondent who was part of the delegation reports that
the visits highlighted the determination of the state government to bridge development gaps, foster inclusiveness, and uplift the living standards of all citizens.
He also reported that as part of the exercise, the delegation paid courtesy visits to traditional rulers and the people, who warmly received them and commended the Governor’s developmental strides.
Critical sectors of the state economy, which occupies a pride of place in the lives of the people of the state , is receiving all necessary attention. After all, governance is all about listening to the expressed needs and aspirations of the people, and allocating available resource so most appropriately, to meet those needs.
The inspection covered key projects including:
Road Infrastructure: Rehabilitation and construction of township and inter-community roads.
Healthcare Development: Upgrading of the General Hospitals, and construction of new General Hospitals across the local government areas.
Education: Renovation and expansion of primary and secondary schools, tertiary institutions, among others.
Traditional Institutions: Rehabilitation of Emir’s, District and Village Head palaces to strengthen grassroots governance.
Community Development: Ongoing projects in water supply, rural electrification, and provision of social amenities.
Addressing journalists during the visitation exercise to Toro local government area, the largest local government area in the country, the Commissioner of Information and Communications, Hon Usman Shehu Usman, reaffirmed that the inspection was in line with government’s policy to keep citizens informed about people-oriented projects of the present administration.
He stressed that Governor Bala Mohammed remains committed to delivering the dividends of democracy across all local government areas as well as enhance the living condition of the citizenry.
In his remarks, the Executive Chairman of Toro Local Government, Pharmacist Ibrahim Abubakar Dembo who hosted the media delegation expressed gratitude to the Governor for prioritising Toro in the state’s development agenda.
He noted that the projects would not only improve socio-economic wellbeing but also lay the foundation for sustainable growth.
The Journalists on tour inspected completed key road projects in the local government area designed to improve connectivity and safety for residents.
Supervising Engineer from the Ministry of Works, Engr. Ado Shehu, explained that the Rimin Zayam township road, spanning 2.1 kilometres, was awarded on September 5, 2024, under a joint contract that covered three project adding that unlike previous township roads, the new carriageway is 8 metres wide, paved with asphalt finishing, and fitted with drainage on both sides.
He added that the design deliberately left two-metre setbacks on each side to allow for tree planting, in line with environmental impact assessments to mitigate carbon emissions from increased vehicle traffic.
The team also inspected the 22-kilometre Rimin Zayam–Dadu Road, awarded in 2021 and now fully completed and handed over to the state government.
The project includes a three-span bridge, multiple culverts, and several hydraulic structures.
Another major project, in the area is the 19.2-kilometre Rishi–Tulu–Tama Road, awarded in 2023, which has also been completed ahead of schedule.
Engr. Shehu confirmed that final inspection for official takeover is scheduled for next week.
The inspection team noted that the roads projects will ease transportation, boost trade, and improve access to services across Toro and adjoining communities.
A cross-section of residents in the local government area attributed the reduction in maternal mortality to the ongoing construction and rehabilitation of the Kirjaule–Lame roads.
Malam Samila Jauro, who spoke on behalf of the community,during the media tour of ongoing projects in the area explained that in the past, no fewer than 50 pregnant women and their babies had lost their lives due to delays in accessing healthcare caused by the poor condition of roads.
According to him, “We have lost many of our pregnant women and their unborn babies in the past because of bad roads. But the present administration has changed our lives through its infrastructural development”.
While commending the state government, Samila Jauro appealed for the electrification of Kirjaule community who have leaved in darkness for over eighteen years.
“We are grateful for the road project, but we still call on the governor to provide us with electricity”.
In Misau Local Government Area,
Mother Cat, the contractors handling construction of the N6.5b, 7.5km dualization of Misau township road reassured the delegation that the project will be completed and delivered by the end of the year 2025.
Site Engineer of the Project, Nicholas David, gave the assurance while speaking with the group of Journalists led by the state commissioner of Information and Communications, Usman Shehu Usman, during a project assessment tour there said the project is over 50% completed, a development that is an indication that at the pace work is going, the project will be completed as scheduled.
He also assured that quality work is being done in accordance with the terms of the contract and the specifications stressing that his firm is known for quality service delivery.
According to him, “As you can see, we are doing the best about the work and it is progressing steadily, we have done more than half, work is ongoing on the other half.”
On variations on the contract, he said that it was neccesitated by the fluctuations of prices of materials but said that, for now the prices are stabilised, therefore no need for further variations.
Though it is a Federal highway,a supervisor of the project from the State Ministry of Works and Transport, Engnr Mohammed Babagana explained that the State Government embarked on it for the good of the people of Misau to reduce accident rate on the road as well as ease traffic flows.
State Commissioner of Information and Communications, Usman Shehu Usman, explained that the various projects embarked upon by the administration are community based and people oriented.
According to him, “The essence of the Media Tour is to publicise the achievements of the administration and make people aware of the ongoing efforts to develop the State and make it better than it was in 2019.
In Kirfi Local Government Area, the
team also inspected the erosion control project in Badara community in executed by the state government in collaboration with the Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes ACReSAL, is aimed at tackling the menace of gully erosion and safeguarding farmlands, homes, and other community assets.
Speaking during the inspection, the Commissioner said the initiative demonstrates Governor Bala Mohammed’s commitment to mitigating environmental challenges that threaten livelihoods, especially in rural communities.
Commissioner Usman Shehu Usman emphasized that the media inspection exercise was designed to publicize the achievements of the Governor, noting that such engagements would enable citizens to appreciate ongoing interventions and foster greater accountability in governance.
The delegation also inspected other development projects, including the total renovation of Badara Model Primary Health Care Centre under the 2024 Impact Project, a World Bank–assisted initiative, and the complete rehabilitation of the 19-kilometre Alkaleri–Kirfi road awarded by the state government among others.
While on the tour, the journalists paid a courtesy visit to the Chairman of Kirfi Local Government Abdulkadir Umar Dewu who commended the Governor for executing people-oriented projects that have transformed many communities across the council area.
The new Mega School constructed by the State Government through the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) in Misau Local Government Area has embarked on enrolling 5000 children of school age for the 2025/2026 academic session, as part of efforts to reduce out-of-School children syndrome in the state.
In Bauchi Local Government Area,
the Council Chairman, Hon Mahmud Baba Ma’aji Abubakar led
the Media Inspection Tour delegation to both completed and ongoing project sites, including the newly completed Model Schools at Tsangaya.
The Chairman explained that the Tsangaya model school is one of three model schools constructed in Bauchi Local Government by the Bala Mohammed’s administration.
The team also inspected the Government Day Technical College – TVET Centre Bauchi, and other Model Mega Schools, which were built to tackle out-of-school children and improve access to quality education.
Other projects listed by the Chairman include, Roads & Urban Infrastructure, Dualization of Goodluck Jonathan–Murtala Mohammed Way, expansion of Rafin Zurfi–Gwallameji–Sabon Kaura Road, rehabilitation of Federal Lowcost–Zango Road; and major flood control works in Gwallaga, Kofar Wambai, and Federal Lowcost.
Others on Healthcare include: the Revival of Bayara Specialist Hospital; establishment of a modern diagnostic centre and upgrades to primary health facilities.
The Chairman listed among other projects the Urban Renewal & Social Amenities, Modernisation of Wunti Market, street lighting projects across the capital, new housing estates under the “My Bauchi Project,” and rehabilitation of the Gubi Dam water system.
The story is the same in all the local government council areas visited with many projects, some already completed while others are ongoing,at very appreciable level of completion.
After traversing across the 20 Local government areas of the state, our Correspondent observed that
Governor Bala Mohammed had executed transformational projects that have touched every sector of life in those areas including the state capital.
The intervention in critical sectors of health, education, agriculture and infrastructural projects in the various localities are practical evidence of the administration’s resolve to uplift living standards and strengthen grassroots development.
A former member of the House of Representatives, and one time Commissioner for Housing and Environment in the state, Hon Hamisu Shira, commenting on Governor Bala Mohammed’s developmental strides, insisted that the Governor and his team are headed in the right direction, confidently moving toward the greatness that we desire, a more prosperous Bauchi State, with ample livelihood opportunities for all residents.
According to him, “At the current pace of the administration, many things would get a lot better in our state at the end of his tenure, insha Allah”.
The Governor himself had emphasised during one of his state functions that “Democracy is not just about elections, but about delivering tangible dividends that uplift the lives of the people”.
He noted that under his stewardship, Bauchi State has witnessed remarkable progress across various sectors, underscoring the transformative impact of purposeful governance rooted in democratic ideals.
The Governor affirmed that these strides are a testament to the gains of democracy and the unwavering commitment of his administration to good governance, transparency, and people-oriented policies.
