By Danjuma Attah, Gombe
The North-East Development Commission (NEDC) has completed and handed over no fewer than 20 projects worth billions of naira and deliberately initiated to strengthen healthcare delivery and educational development in different parts of Gombe State.
Minister of State for Regional Development, Hon. Uba Ahmadu Maigari, who was accompanied by the Gombe State Deputy Governor, Manasseh Daniel Jatau, and the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of NEDC, Mohammed Goni Alkali, explained that the projects were carefully designed to improve access to quality healthcare and education.
He described the projects handed over to the State as critical pillars for human development and sustainable economic growth.
The Minister noted that the newly constructed health facilities would enhance access to quality medical services, reduce maternal and child mortality, and improve overall health outcomes for both rural and urban communities.
He also explained that the educational projects would expand learning opportunities, improve teaching and research facilities, and contribute to the development of skilled manpower necessary for national growth.
While commending the Gombe State Government’s commitment towards improving the welfare of its citizens and transforming critical sectors of the State’s economy, Hon Uba Ahmadu highlighted the importance of strong collaboration between the Federal Government and State Governments, noting that sustainable development can only be achieved through partnership, shared vision, and effective coordination of resources.
The projects commissioning which was carried out in two days, saw the high powered Government officials commencing with the commissioning of the Gombe State office of the NEDC, on Gombe-Bauchi road as well as a Primary Health Care Centre in Bogo, Akko LGA.
Others included four modern lecture theatres at Gombe State University; facilities at Ahmadu Gombe Secondary School in Jekadafari, ten units of senior staff quarters at Government Science Secondary School; two blocks of cold stores at the Gombe Central Medical Store; and the renovated Government Secondary School, Mallam Sidi, recently converted to the School of Agriculture, Gombe State University.
At the commissioning of the newly constructed Gombe State office of the NEDC, the Gombe State Deputy Governor, Dr. Manassah Daniel Jatau, assured that the people of Gombe State would jealously guard the NEDC office as a strategic development institution.
He expressed deep appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for sustaining the activities of the North East Development Commission, describing it as a major intervention that is significantly impacting infrastructure and socio-economic development in Gombe State and the North-East region.
In his remarks, the NEDC board chairman, Major General Paul Tarfa (Rtd), expressed happiness and satisfaction on the inspected projects and called on the beneficiaries to ensure proper maintenance of the facilities.
The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the NEDC, Mohammed Goni Alkali, noted that the projects commissioned in the health and education sectors were part of the Commission’s broader efforts to rebuild social infrastructure, improve human capital development, and enhance the quality of life for residents of the region.
He stressed the need for sustained collaboration between the Commission and the Gombe State Government to ensure effective project implementation and monitoring while commending President Tinubu for sustaining the Commission. “The agency has become a vital platform for restoring hope, rebuilding communities, and promoting inclusive development across the North-East”, Goni Alkali pointed out.
The commissioning exercise continued the second day with projects within Gombe, the State capital in the Federal Teaching Hospital Gombe, a major bridge on Gombe-Dukku road and another in Tabra, Akko LGA, as well as other educational and healthcare facilities in Kaltungo, Billiri and southern parts of Akko LGA’s.
End.
