Yobe state governor, Mai Mala Buni says his administration has spent over N17 billion on procurement of grains and farm inputs this year.
Buni made this known at news conference on Thursday in Damaturu as as part of activities marking the end of 2024.
The governor, who was represented by his deputy, Idi Gubana, said N15.3 billion was spent on procurement of farm machinery, implements and agro chemicals for 5,340 farmers in 178 wards.
He said that N1.7 billion was expended on procurement of assorted grains to stock the state’s strategic grains reserve.
The governor said N3. 9 billion was disbursed to 201,300 individuals, while 974, 220 persons were assisted with food and non-food items under the Multi-Purpose Cash Assistance (MPCA) programme.
On healthcare, Buni said 222 primary healthcare providers were supported with capitation, while 24 secondary healthcare facilities enjoyed fee-for-service subsidies through the state Contributory Healthcare Management Agency (YSCHMA).
“As of October 2024, YSCHMA has enrolled a total of 275,358 people into the contributory healthcare scheme in the state, reflecting the agency’s commitment to expanding healthcare coverage across the state,” he said.
The governor said an ante-natal and VIP wards were built at Women and Children Hospital, Damaturu, adding that a one-storey doctors’ quarters as well as accidents and emergencies units were constructed at Specialists’ Hospital in Buni-Yadi.
Buni said within the period under review, 170 motorised boreholes were converted to solar-powered boreholes across the state to enhance water production and supply.
“Others are the drilling of a complete package borehole at the Yobe State University Teaching Hospital (YSUTH) Damaturu, Shagari Low-Cost, Yobe State Women and Children Hospital and the GRA area in Damaturu.
“Rehabilitation of the Dumar-Gumsi Water Project broken down boreholes, construction of the Buni-Gari Water Treatment Plant, servicing and maintenance of 351 boreholes across major towns in the state,” he said.
The governor listed ongoing and completed road projects to include rehabilitation of 45km Yunusari-Kanamma road, 52km Katarko-Goniri road, 18km Bukarti-Toshia Road, 45km Bayamari-Yunusari road and 45km Yunusari-Kalgi-Yusufari Road.
Buni said 426 units of double-arm solar street lights were installed in Potiskum and Gujba roads, Damaturu, while 2,016 units of single-arm and double-arm solar street lights were installed in Gashu’a, Nguru, Geidam, Potiskum and Buni-Yadi.
He said the state had carried out a replacement of 500KVA sub-station and extension of TDN at Tandari Ward, Potiskum and Bindigari Ward in Damaturu.
“We conducted the extension of 33KV Line, Town Distribution Network (LDN) and installation of transformer at Lantaiwa town; rehabilitation of 33KV Line and upgrading of town distribution network at Garin Gamji in Fika LGA.
“Restoration of power to Yusufari town through rehabilitation of 2.5MVA, 3nos 300KVA sub-station and 33KV Line, reactivation and strengthening of 33KV line from Geidam to Bukarti town.
“Extension of electricity to Rigar Fulani in Potiskum LGA, Pompomari Bayan Kwalta communities in Damaturu LGA, Ligdir, Kwalkwala, Bulabulin Fulori and Goningomari towns in Gujba LGA, among others,” the governor said.
He said the construction of Potiskum and Geidam Modern Markets had both reached 75 per cent and 70 per cent completion respectively, while the Potiskum Truck and Transit Park was at 85 per cent completion level.
“The Damaturu Mega Shopping Mall is at 45 per cent state of completion.
“We have also built modern sesame seeds processing factories in Machina and Nguru towns. Additional ones being built in Potiskum and Damaturu are both currently at 80 per cent stages of completion,” he said.
NAN
