While in Maiduguri to commission an NNPC’s emergency power plant, President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday unveiled some of the over 700 capital projects executed by Governor Babagana Umara Zulum.
The President opened the new Tashan Bama (market and motor-park which has 475 shops) a network of roads and an estate with 24 apartments for medical doctors.
Buhari’s visit was the fifth presidential commissioning of capital projects by Zulum.
The president first visited in June 2021 to appraise the security situation and he commissioned seven capital projects amongst them, Borno State Vocational Training Institute, four mega-size schools, network of roads and medical centres.
The president returned in December 2021 on the invitation of philanthropist Muhammadu Indimi but during that visit, Buhari commissioned Borno’s first flyover and more schools by the Zulum administration.
In February 2022, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo was in Maiduguri for launch of FG’s MSME clinic in Borno and during that visit he commissioned more of Zulum’s projects which include 78 apartments for medical doctors working at state-owned medical centres, a shopping complex for MSMEs, a road and a Mega-size school.
Osinbajo’s was the third presidential commissioning of Zulum’s projects.
The fourth commissioning was done by President Buhari in August 2022, while the president was in Maiduguri to mark that year’s world humanitarian day.
Buhari, at that visit, opened houses Zulum built for primary school teachers.
The president’s latest visit two days ago was the fifth presidential commissioning of Zulum’s projects.
Although Buhari’s coming was specifically to commission the NNPC project, the president also unveiled projects carried out by the Zulum administration.
He opened an ultra-modern motor park and market which has 475 shops located along Maiduguri-Bama road.
Also commissioned by the President were some dualized roads: Post office -Ahmadu Bello Way to Bama road junction, Shehu Sanda Kura road, Monday Market roundabout, Elkanemi roundabout and Mogoram to Lafiya road with a bridge at Ahmadu Bello way linking Bama road. There was another bridge that connects Elkanemi roundabout to Lagos street junction.
Buhari also opened a 2.5km Bolori market networked road and streetlights.
The president also commissioned 24 units of 3-bedroom flats which Governor Zulum built at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, to increase access of medical doctors to accommodation.
The project was in response to priority needs of the UMTH. Although the UMTH is owned by the Federal Government, Governor Zulum has been supporting the institution to enhance its critical services to the people of Borno State.
Buhari had this to say on Governor Zulum:
“Let me use this opportunity to commend His Excellency, Governor Babagana Zulum for keeping to his campaign promises. I cannot remember or count the number of projects I commissioned during your (Zulum’s) first tenure as governor.
I also acknowledge your contributions and that of stakeholders working closely with the Federal Government by bringing back our refugees from Cameroon and other neighboring countries following the relative peace currently witnessed in this part of the country”, the president said.
Buhari, during the visit, was at the Maiduguri Monday market to assess damages caused by wild fire and to empathize with victims.