Yobe earmarks N11.7b for road, market projects

Yobe State Government has earmarked N11.7 billion for the execution of road and market projects across the state. The four roads to be constructed include Potiskum, Gashu’a and Geidam pavement reinforced roads, covering 12.8 kilometres.

Announcing at the State Executive Council (SEC) meeting at the weekend in Damaturu, Commissioner for Information, Abdullahi Bego, disclosed that N494.14 million was approved to compensate owners of properties acquired to construct Potiskum and Nguru modern markets.

He explained: “The sum of N583 million is for the construction of 2.5km flexible pavement road with 5.2km rectangular reinforced concrete drainage in Potiskum,” adding that the council also ratified N864 million for the construction of 3.2km road in Nguru.

According to him, the Gashu’a 2km road with drainages is also to be built and completed at N593.1 million, while the Geidam 2km road will gulp N550.5 million with concrete drains on both sides.

Speaking of the Damaturu metropolis roads, he said: “The council earmarked N930.8 million for the construction of 5.3km road to link the Potiskum dual carriageway to Gujba dual carriageway.

“The state government has approved N2.6 billion for the construction of Nguru market with N195.8 million compensation, while N2.9 billion was ratified for the construction of first phase of Potiskum Truck Transit Park.

“The council also approved N800.1 million for revised additional works on Damaturu modern market project. Another N669.8 million also earmarked for additional electrical works at the Damaturu International Cargo Airport,” noting that the completion could boost economic activities to raise more revenue internally.

Bego is of the belief that as relative peace returns, more people will continue to visit Damaturu, the state capital, for business and work. He added that the State Integrated Financial Management Information System (SIFM) of eight Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) are to be connected at N370.4 million.

According to him, the provision of 14 SOCOOL 4×4 Diesel Vehicles to the State Roads Traffic Agency (YOROTA) will also cost N315 million.