Gov. Zulum Lauds Achievements, State PDP Debunks

The Governor of Borno State, Babagana Zulum has said his administration had in the last two years fulfilled some of its electioneering campaign promises, especially in the area of reconstruction, rehabilitation and resettlement of Internally Displaced Persons, IDPs, back to their ancestral homes.

Zulum stated this yesterday in his June 12 Democracy Day broadcast, he noted that “we are delivering 556 capital projects with 70% of the total already completed, while 30% are at various completion levels.”

“With shared commitments and with the strong goodwill, support and prayers from all and sundry, the present administration is delivering 556 capital projects with 70% of the total already completed while 30% are at various completion levels.

“In the last two years in office, our projects, done with your support, include 194 capital projects on education, which encompass rehabilitation, completion and fresh construction of ega-size government technical colleges and primary schools in different communities.
“We have 63 capital projects on governance, and another 63 capital projects on roads, transport, rural and urban development.

“Also, 59 capital projects are being delivered on water and environment, while on health, we are delivering 58 capital projects that include the establishment of 74 primary healthcare centres across local government areas, rehabilitation of eight general and specialist hospitals in Maiduguri Metropolitan Council, MMC, Biu, Damboa, Monguno and Magumeri.

“We have undertaken 53 capital projects on reconstruction, rehabilitation and resettlement which involve estates combining over 6,000 resettlement houses for IDPs and refugees in 15 towns.

“I am happy to, once again, acknowledge that President Muhammadu Buhari has since approved 10,000 resettlement houses in Borno State. I am also happy to note a substantial number of these houses have been completed with more ongoing.

“There are 28 capital projects on jobs creation, youth empowerment and humanitarian support which include an all-inclusive vocational training centre with 14 workshops for capacity development of 1,500 persons per annum.

“Although in these two years we have witnessed continued turbulence, we have also shared hope, optimism, faith, resilience and communal determination to ceaselessly devote ourselves to freeing our Borno from 12 years of vicious insurgency.”

However, the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Borno state, has faulted the claim, by the Governor, saying there was nothing to celebrate.

The PDP Chairman Alhaji Usman Baderi gave the reaction in an exclusive interview with newsmen.

He noted that insecurity has continued to linger in the state because of the government’s inability to address the root cause.

He said the present administration was spending taxpayers money on the building of houses, schools and clinics in volatile local government areas of Marte, Abadam, Kala Balge, Ngala, Damboa, Chibok, Dikwa among others, and allocates to IDPs who live there under daily threats of attacks by insurgents.

Badri however said if the money is being channelled to the purchase of weapons for security operatives, members of the Civilian Joint Task Force and hunters it will help to curb the situation.