By Khalid Idris Doya
The North East Development Commission (NEDC) has handed over three major bridges, an ultra-modern cattle market, school, and health facilities to the Bauchi State Government in Alkaleri and Kirfi local government areas of the state.
The projects were formally handed over by the Minister of State for Regional Development, Alhaji Uba Maigari Ahmadu, during a ceremony held on Friday.
The bridges, constructed along the Bauchi-Gombe Road, are located at Bara, Kalajanga, and Tashan Turmi. They include the Kalajanga Bridge (three spans of 15 metres), the Bara Bridge (five spans of 20 metres), and the Tashan Turmi Bridge (15 spans of 20 metres).
Recall that the Bauchi-Gombe highway had, in recent years, been repeatedly cut off by severe erosion, disrupting movement and economic activities. The construction of the modern bridges was therefore aimed at permanently addressing the challenge and improving regional connectivity.
Other projects handed over to the Bauchi State Government include Government Secondary School (GSS) Yelwan Duguri, an Ultra-Modern Cattle Market in Alkaleri an 18-bed capacity Primary Health Care Centre in Yashi, Alkaleri and other one in Kirfi Local Government Areas, as well as the rehabilitation of an examination hall, classrooms, construction of perimeter fencing, and a block of three classrooms at Government Day Secondary School, Mainamaji, Bauchi State.
The minister led a high-powered delegation that included the Chairman and Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of NEDC, Alhaji Mohammad G. Alkali, directors of the commission, lawmakers, and other government officials.
Speaking during the handover of the bridges, Alhaji Uba Maigari Ahmadu said the projects were of immense benefit, not only to Bauchi State but to neighbouring states and even countries, given the strategic importance of the Bauchi-Gombe corridor.
He expressed appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for ensuring sustained collaboration with the National Assembly to make funds available for critical infrastructure development.
"This effort deserves commendation. I also thank members of both chambers of the National Assembly for the positive synergy that has resulted in infrastructure that connects communities and promotes development," he said.
Receiving the projects on behalf of the Bauchi State Government, Governor Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed, represented by his Deputy, Muhammad Auwal Jatau, commended the NEDC for its impactful interventions.
He noted that the state government had remained consistent partners from the conception of the projects through planning and execution.
"We sincerely thank Almighty Allah, the Federal Government, and the NEDC for working with us to make the commissioning of these bridges possible," he said.
While handing over GSS Yelwan Duguri, the minister explained that the school was constructed under the federal government's "Brick-to-Bed Project", which involves building complete educational complexes from the ground up, as well as rehabilitating schools previously in deplorable conditions.
"This is not just a school; it is a full educational complex," he said, adding that the commission was confident the Bauchi State Government would properly maintain the facility.
The school comprises an administrative block with five offices, one block of 12 classrooms, five blocks of three classrooms, a library with a 130-student capacity, an ICT centre for 50 students, a clinic, and four two-bedroom staff quarters.
The commission also assured that additional facilities, including a 250-bed capacity student hostel, technical workshops, a dining hall, fencing, and a gatehouse, would be provided.
Deputy Governor Jatau described the NEDC as a reliable development partner, noting that investment in education remains the most productive investment for any society.
On the Ultra-Modern Cattle Market in Alkaleri, the minister said the facility would boost livestock trade, generate revenue for the state, and ensure better protection and management of animals.
He described the project as vital to the commercial growth of Alkaleri and Bauchi State at large.
Governor Bala Mohammed, again represented by his deputy, commended the commission for the project and appealed for similar interventions in other local government areas with large cattle markets.
NEDC's MD Mohammad Goni Alkali disclosed that the cattle market includes 47 shops, a veterinary clinic, mosque, office, perimeter fencing, gatehouse, and other essential facilities designed to ease business activities.
The 18-bed Primary Health Care Centre handed over in Yashi features male and female wards, labour and delivery rooms, post-natal and ante-natal rooms, a laboratory, accident and emergency unit, pharmacy, and consulting rooms.
The NEDC also handed over the rehabilitated examination hall, classrooms, and newly constructed facilities at Government Day Secondary School, Mainamaji, further strengthening educational infrastructure in the state.
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