FROM PAUL ORUDE, BAUCHI
Bauchi State Government says it has spent the sum of N148.8 million to execute rural electrification projects across rural several communities in the state.
The commissioner for Rural and Community Development, Alhaji Sama’ila Mohammed Isa, made this known on Tuesday in Bauchi at a ministerial press briefing .
Isa said that seven out of 12 rural electrification projects were fully executed by contracts and direct labour using the stated amount.
“These includes the rehabilitation of broken down electrical network along Hardawa, Gwaram, Akuyam,Ajuli, Dinkwi Kasuwa axis all in Misau Local Goverment Area,” he said.
He said that the ministry procured dedicated transformers to Makama New Extension, Salima Bread, 1.5 MVA transformer at Waya Dam in Bauchi Local Governemnt Area, while two transformers-300kVA , 33/0.014 KV at
Gumau in Toro Local Local Government Area.
He said it also carried out the, “Electrification of Kafin Galadima in Bauchi Local Government Area, Zigau Manga, Zigau Dangara, Rijin Tattu all in Toro , while Saukani, Lomin Fulani, Bure,Tubule, Shurfuri, Kalajanga/Gobirawa, Kwagal and Guyuba in Kirfi Local Government Area”
Isa said that various communities were mobilised not to depend on government.
“Various communities have embarked on self-help projects of about 969 different categories at the cost of N64, 428,500.00 out of which community contributed N55, 913,500, LGAs contributed 5,315,000.00 while the state government contributed N3,200,000.00,” he explained.
These self-help projects , he said, included road clearance, construction of local culverts and filling of potholes of about 318 kilometres Feeder Roads in Gori village in Tafawa Balewa and Zigau in Shira.
Other self-help projects, he added, were construction and regain of 218 wells, boreholes, drainages, and earth Dams in Miri, Nammari, sanitation and renovation of 51 Health Clinics and Maternity Centres, construction of block classrooms, religious centres among others.
The Commissioner said that N31.6 million was used on rural road projects undertaken by direct labour.
He said the state governemnt spent the sum of N31,6 million for the repairs of rural roads washed out along Azare-Isiawa-Giade road, Yola Road off Azare-Jamma’re, Siri-Miya-Warji Road, Dass Makabarta Road, Kalambu-Bogoro Road, Tafawa Balewa-Bununu -Liman Katagum Road and Dindima-Mainamaji -Yankari Road.