Reps committee visits Bauchi projects, canvasses improved funding for NEDC

The House of Representatives Committee on the North-east Development Commission, following a  surprise visit to the project sites in Bauchi, hailed the commission and called for more funding to enable it sustain it’s developmental strides across the region.

The committee led by the member representing Magumeri, Kaga, and Gubio, Usman Zannah made the recommendation as part of the committee’s findings to be submitted to the House of Representatives after a two-day oversight visit to Bauchi on Friday.

Zannah, while expressing satisfaction with the critical infrastructure put in place by the commission across the region, said, “There is more to do in the region, hence the need to source more funding for the commission.

“The infrastructural deficit filled in by the commission is not enough for the region, and that is why the commission must collaborate with the House Committee to look for more funding outside the government-provided avenue.

“We have to think outside the box to look for more funding from the United Nations and other donor agencies,” he said.

The Green Chamber lawmaker maintained that the committee is fully satisfied with the NEDC projects seen so far and hopes the commission will double its efforts.

Thus, he hailed the managing director and the entire team of the North-east Development Commission for a job weldone while pledging to relate the findings to members on the floor of the National Assembly.

Also speaking, the Managing Director of the North East Development Commission, Mohammed Goni Alkali, said, “All the projects were aimed at improving the quality of lives of the people of the region.

“Projects executed across the Northeastern states align with the commission’s determination to enhance the living standards of the populace.”

Arewa According reports that during the oversight visit, the committee inspected various projects across Bauchi State, including the ongoing construction of the 53 km Kirfi-Gombe Abba road linking Bauchi and Gombe States, and the reconstruction of three bridges at Kalajanga, Bara, and Tashan Turmi all along the Bauchi to Gombe highway.

“Other projects are the Institute of Ophthalmology Complex at ATBUTH Bauchi; the rehabilitation work at Shira Healthcare in Alkaleri LGA; completion of the Community Health Center in Duguri, Alkaleri LG; construction of a surgical ward and skills acquisition center at the National Obstetrics Center, Ningi; the building and equipping of a triage center at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital, Bauchi among others.