By Sani Gazas Chinade, Damaturu
The State Executive Council approved the sum of N73, 3 billion for execution of various projects and provision of services to the people across the state.
The State Executive Council meeting held on Thursday in Damaturu, chaired by Governor Mai Mala Buni approved the sum of over N28.531 for procurement of agricultural tools and implements for 2026 mega agricultural empowerment programme.
The sum of over N4, 939 was also ratified for the construction of Buni-Yadi Modern Motor Park and Grains Market, while the sum of N5,687,865,141.49 was approved for external facilities and augmentation of perimeter fence at the Damaturu Modern Motor Park which is nearing completion.
The State Executive Council also approved over N3,945 billion for the construction of a new Shopping Mall and Mini-Market in Buni-Gari town.
Similarly, the Council ratified N652,627,000.00 for the acquisition of Fanzar Mixed Farms Ltd while, N1,176,589,306.56 was approved for the construction of office complex/HQ for the Ministry of Housing.
The sum of N2,248,060,178.6 was also approved for the purchase of 208 housing units from the Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development.
The council approved the upgrading, remodelling, landscaping, and installation of safety barriers for four major roundabouts in Damaturu Metropolis, as well as upgrades of the Damaturu Mega Shopping Mall currently under construction.
To enhance self reliance among the women the State Executive Council approved the sum of N460,828,450.00 to procure beans and distribute to small business owners, as empowerment support.
These will be distributed along with cooking oil, smokeless stoves, cooking utensils and kitchen wares, that have already been procured and stored by the Ministry of Wealth Creation, Empowerment and Employment Generation.
A total of 1,780 bags of 50kg of beans will be distributed to beneficiaries. Under the Ministry of Wealth Creation, Council has approved the sum of N364,475,000.00 for the procurement of 1000 units of Yamaha GX 390 Grinding Machines for empowerment support to people across the state.
In the roads development sector, a total of N23,974,658,517.5 was ratified by the Council for two major road projects. These include N21,904,063,500.00 for the rehabilitation and asphalt overlay of the 45km Kalallawa-Kaliyari road in Damaturu and Tarmuwa Local Government Areas, and N2,070,595,017.50 for the construction of 7kms Damagum-Gubana road. This completes 17kms of road to Gubana town from Damagum.
Additionally the State Executive Council has also approved a Public-Private Partnership for Yobe Liaison Office, Kaduna for the conversion of the Liaison office into a modern hotel.
The PPP is based on a Build-Operate-and Transfer arrangement, and the property will return to Yobe State Government ownership after 10 years.
The liaison office itself will be retained within the property and will be operated by the Yobe State Government.
