ADDRESS BY HIS EXCELLENCY, SEN BALA ABDULKADIR MOHAMMED CON, Fnipr (KAURAN BAUCHI, JAGABAN KATAGUM), EXECUTIVE GOVERNOR OF BAUCHI STATE, ON THE OCASSION OF THE GROUND BREAKING CEREMONY OF THE CONSTRUCTION OF 2.6KM INTERNAL ROAD AT THE BAUCHI STATE UNIVERSITY MAIN CAMPUS, GADAU ON FRIDAY 15TH DECEMBER, 2024
Your Excellency, the Deputy Governor,
The Honourable Speaker, Bauchi State House of Assembly,
My Lords the Chief Judge and Grand Khadi,
Honourable Members of Bauchi State House of Assembly,
Members of the State Executive Council,
The Secretary to the State Government,
The Chief of Staff, Government House,
The Chairman PDP, Bauchi State,
The Head of Civil Service,
Chief Executives of Parastatals and Heads of Extra-Ministerial Departments, Chairmen Local Government Council,
Members of the Press,
Ladies and Gentlemen.
I am very pleased to address you on this occasion of ground breaking ceremony to mark the commencement of the construction of 2.6km internal Roads project at the Bauchi State University main Campus.
2.Our Administration has embarked on an accelerated Urban and Rural life touching projects, covering the Three Senatorial Districts of the State to address the yearning and aspiration of our people who suffered neglect by successive Administrations. We have therefore adopted a holistic approach to reverse the trend of infrastructural deficit and decay in the State. I recently performed a ground breaking ceremony of the dualization of 11km Ningi Township Road, and I have granted approvals for the rehabilitation and construction of many other roads across the State.
3.Today, as we gather here at the Bauchi State University, Gadau, I am honored to address you on the significant strides we have taken to enhance the welfare of our students and teachers, and to improve the infrastructure across our educational institutions. Since the inception of our administration in 2019, our commitment to education has been unwavering, and it is reflected in the various policies and programs we have implemented.
4.In our pursuit of accessible primary education, we have undertaken the construction of over five thousand classrooms thereby creating an environment conducive to learning for our young minds. In recognition of the pivotal role teachers and administrators play, we have engaged in comprehensive training and capacity-building programs, forming partnerships with the Federal Government and donor agencies to uplift the standards of our educators.
5.Sustainability and productivity are crucial for our state-owned institutions. To ensure this, we have consistently provided adequate funding, ensuring timely payment of salaries and pensions. Inclusivity has been a key focus, involving students, parents, school administrators, traditional leaders, and other stakeholders to actively participate in enhancing the quality of education and reducing the number of out-of-school children.
6.Implementing new policies, particularly leveraging technology and robust monitoring and evaluation mechanisms, we have successfully reduced waste and corruption in our educational system. The tangible results are evident, with the rate of candidates passing WAEC and NECO exams with at least 5 credits, skyrocketing from 30% in 2019 to an impressive 80% in the current academic session.
Due to the economic challenges faced by parents, we have restored and increased scholarships for Bauchi State indigenes by 50%, with plans for further increments as our resources improve. To facilitate students’ movement, we are embarking on a plan to provide Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) vehicles to offer free and subsidized transportation from schools to various strategic locations across the state.
7.In our commitment to fairness, the investment in educational reform and infrastructure will be distributed across higher institutions in the state. Additionally, we provided land and buildings to support the establishment of new institutions by the Federal Government in Azare and Jama’are. While acknowledging these achievements, we recognize there is more work to be done. That is why we have established a Ministry of Higher Education and are planning an education summit. This summit will bring together experts from across the state and beyond to discuss critical issues, challenges, and solutions to provide us with a roadmap for the future. 8.Furthermore, I have declared a state of emergency in the education sector. The focus will be on modernizing our curriculum to instill a Bauchi first consciousness and foster digital literacy. This grand scheme envisions Bauchi State as a hub for education tourism, drawing from rich pool of resources and partnership to produce a globally recognized educational system that will produce competent and knowledgeable manpower.
9.There is no gainsaying the fact that when this road is completed the main campus of the Bauchi State University, Gadau would wear a new look, feel the impact of good Governance and provide conducive Environment for learning. We have engaged the services of a competent contractor, Messrs Habibu Engineering Nigerian Limited to execute this important project that would cost the government the sum of N1,817,595,378.83. The project has a distance of 2.6km with stone base, Asphalt wearing course, storm water drainage and solar street lights. I have directedthe Ministry of Works and transport to closely supervise the project from its commencement to completion.
10.Invited guests, ladies and gentlemen, it is my pleasure and honour to on behalf of the Government and good people of Bauchi State flag-off the commencement of this all important project of the construction of 2.6km internal Roads project at the Bauchi State University main Campus, Gadau.
Thank you and God bless.
Signed
Office of the Special Adviser Media and Publicity to the Governor.
15th December, 2023.
