NEDC 50km road project to create jobs in Borno — Zulum

Borno Governor Babagana Umara Zulum has announced that the ongoing 50km road project in Jere Bowl, valued at N13.55 billion, will generate employment opportunities for over one million people upon completion.

Governor Zulum made this statement during a courtesy visit from the Chairman of the House Committee on NEDC, Usman Zannah, and other members, including NEDC’s Managing Director, Mohammed Alkali.

The team had earlier inspected completed and ongoing projects in Maiduguri as part of their oversight function. The project, awarded to a Chinese construction company, is slated for commissioning in November 2024.

Zulum commended the NEDC for its people-oriented projects, which have complemented the state government’s efforts.

He urged the Commission to explore additional means of supporting the state’s Reconstruction, Rehabilitation, and Resettlement (RRR) efforts, particularly in closing down informal IDP camps.

The Governor highlighted the challenges faced by IDPs, including prostitution, drug abuse, early marriage, and child labor, emphasizing the need for long-term, durable solutions.

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He noted that the North East region lost approximately $6.9 billion due to insurgency, with Borno state accounting for about $5 billion of that loss.

As Chairman of the North East Governors Forum, Zulum appealed to the NEDC to support the restoration of power to the region, as most electric towers have been vandalized by terrorists.

He also requested support for the provision of 10 megawatts of solar power in each of the six states in the region.

Usman Zannah, representing Kaga, Magumeri, and Gubio federal constituency, assured the government and people of Borno state that his committee would work with stakeholders to ensure more projects are executed for the benefit of the region and the country. He praised the Managing Director of NEDC, Mohammed Alkali, for the quality of work done on the Jere Bowl road construction.

In a show of appreciation, Governor Zulum thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, and the leadership of the House of Representatives for the opportunity to serve on this crucial committee, which he said is determined to ensure the NEDC fulfills all its mandates in the region.