Yobe Governor Says N15 Billion Gratuities Debts Paid

The Yobe government on Wednesday said it paid N15.4 billion to clear the backlog of gratuities of the state and local government retirees.

Baba Wali, the secretary to the state government, disclosed this at a press briefing in Damaturu, marking Governor Mai Mala Buni’s six years in office.

He said that with the payment, the state and local governments no longer owed any gratuity.

Mr Wali said Yobe had provided 250 operational vehicles and 500 motorcycles to the various security agencies to enhance their operations since 2019.

Mr Wali said over 300 patrol and specialised operational vehicles were rehabilitated by the Yobe government, adding that the state government facilitated the engagement of over 2,000 vigilantes, hunters, and hybrid force operatives.

He said the Yobe government had employed no fewer than 6,449 workers and sponsored about 35 capacity trainings for over 6,395 civil servants within the period under review.

Mr Wali said a total of 500km of roads were either completed by the state government or ongoing, including Geidam-Bukarti, Bayamari-Yunusari, Yunusari-Kanamma, Damagum-Gubana, Bulanguwa-Kumagannam, Nguru-Bulanguwa, and Fika-Maluri.

Mr Wali said Triacta Nig Ltd., the contractor handling three three-level flyover and underpass construction in Damaturu, promised to hand over the N22 billion worth of project in the first quarter of 2026.

He said the state constructed six new model schools, seven mega schools, nine new government girls’ day senior secondary schools, eight new co-education government day senior secondary schools, and an additional one for boys across Yobe.

Mr Wali said over 4,000 teaching and non-teaching staff were recruited and posted to various primary and secondary schools, adding that 26,000 teachers were also trained or retrained to enhance their capacities.

“In the area of electrification, 25 villages were electrified, while electricity was extended to over 200 different locations. We have also rehabilitated and strengthened Damaturu – Potiskum, Potiskum – Gashua, Gashua – Yunusari, Damaturu – Babbangida – Bayamari, Bayamari – Geidam – Bukarti, Bayamari – Yunusari, Potiskum – Kukar Gadu, and Maiduwa-Gadaka with 33KVA lines.

“We have also ensured provision of a 24-hour power supply to all the General Hospitals in the State as well as provision of generator sets to some Government establishments,” Mr Wali said.

Mr Wali said the state had so far completed the construction of modern markets in Damaturu, Potiskum, Gashua, Nguru, Machina, and Ngalda.

“Furthermore, the construction of Potiskum Truck Transit Park and Mega Shopping Mall in Damaturu is also. Being the state with the largest production of high-quality sesame seeds, we have completed construction of four sesame seed processing factories in Damaturu, Potiskum, Nguru, and Machina towns to further boost commercial activities,” he said.

Mr Wali added, “The state government, through its Public Financial Management (PFM) reforms, accessed about $10 million, equivalent to N3.8 billion grant after the valuation exercise of 2021 Disbursement Linked Indicators (DLIs) 1-9 and additional grant of $10 million equivalent to N3.8 billion for meeting COVID-19 additional financing.

“SFTAS and the Electronic Government Procurement System (e-GP) have fetched us commendation from the Federal Ministry of Finance and the World Bank. Similarly, the World Bank awarded us a grant of $5 million due to our reforms, which are in tandem with the world’s best practices in procurement, the Annual Auditor General’s Report, and other fiscal reforms,” he said.

(NAN)