Total Energy, ExxonMobil Donate Hygiene & Sanitation Facility to Yobe Polytechnic

 From JOE Hemba

Total Energies and ExxonMobil today Friday donated a hygiene and sanitation facility to Idris Aloma Polytechnic Geidam in Yobe State, Northeast Nigeria.

The polytechnic which was established in 1993 by the former Governor Bukar ABBA Ibrahim is solely funded by Yobe State. Government and was renamed in 2002 after one of the most powerful and   famous former ruler of Sayfawa Dynasty of ancient Kanem Bornu Empire, Mai Idriss Alooma. 

While giving an overview of the project, The coordinator Arc. Mohammed Sanusi Umara who spoke on behalf of the MD of Abkama International Nigeria Limited disclosed that the project consists of ten toilets with a steady borehole connected with a solar panel for constant water supply to the facility. 

 He noted that five of the modern toilets are meant for the female students while the other five are for their male counterpart. 

In his remarks, the Managing Director, TotalEnergies EP Nigeria Limited, Mr. Mike Sangster who spoke on behalf of TEPNG, Joint Development Zone (JDZ) partners, Nigeria-Sao Tome & Principe Joint Development Authority (JDA), and Exxon Mobil (ESSO) said the project is part of the Cooperate Social Responsibility(CSR) of the Company and the joint partnership initiative.

Sangster noted that the company is concerned with mitigating the impact of diseases that are infectious to the community and harmful to life hence their intervention in hygeiene and sanitation at the institution. 

“In response to health challenges posed by infectious diseases, the need for preventive health care cannot be overemphasized. Diseases like Ebola and the ongoing covid-19 pandemic have shown that basic hygiene, such as hand washing and good sanitary environment can go a long way in protecting the populace from infectious diseases. This is why we decide to embark on this project which is in line with our commitment to the wellbeing and economic development of not only our host states, but the country at large. it is our plan therefore, to extend this important hygiene and sanitation project to the six-geopolitical zones in Nigeria,” Mr Sangster explained. 

Engr. Lawali using the facility after commissioning.

The Chairman Board of Nigeria-Sao Tome & Principe Joint Development Authority (JDA) Dr Almajiri Geidam was represented by his technical adviser Engr. Umaru Lawali announced that similar projects are under execution in the six geo-political zones of the country, stressing that “the hygiene and sanitary project is one of the six (6) such project slated for execution across the six geo-political zone of the country as part of corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiative under Joint Development Zone (JDZ) block 7, 8 & 11 production sharing contract (PSC), signed by the Nigeria-Sao Tome & Principe joint Development Authority (JDA) with TotalEnergies (operator of the block) EXXONMobil”. 

Engr Umar explained that the projects targets only State Government Owned Tertiary Institutions like Mai Idris Alooma Polytechnic Geidam because of the challenges of funding that such institutions face. 

The Rector of the Polytechnic Dr. Wakil Goma Kafiya who was represented at the event by Karagama Kolo Geidam expressed the gratitude of the institution to TotalEnergies, Nigeria Sao Tome & Principe Joint Development Authority (JDA) and EXXONMobil. 

Alhaji Karagama Kolo Geidam who received the key to the hygiene and sanitary facility on behalf of the noted that the intervention to build the facility came at the right time, adding that, “the students the school and teachers who visit the library will benefit from this facility since the facility is located right behind the school library”. 

He noted that the institution has a good hygiene and maintenance culture while assuring the donors that, “the school will try In its possibly best to maintain the facility and its equipment. Since the facility has its original source of water supply that the facility can serve its purpose”. 

His words: “The school management of Mai Idris Alooma Polytechnic, Geidam are very happy to receive this kind of intervention. The doors of the School Management is always opened to welcome intervention project like this and more from TotalEnergies and other partners in the near future,” the Rector said. 

some female students at the events

In his remarks, the Student Union Government (SUG) President Comrade Babagana Aisami On behalf the students of the polytechnic Mai Idris Alooma Polytechnic thanked Total Energies and all other partners for their support to the building of the facility. 

He also appealed for more intervention in the near future. 

The project commissioned has a Block of 10 toilets, divided into two 5 toilets each for male and female, including urinal for male with other ancillary items like wash basin and an automatic hand- dryer, a borehole with 1.5HP automatic solar-powered submersible pump as well as an overhead water tank and facility fenced.

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YOBE IPAC Calls for LG Election as Aenure of Elected Chairmen Expires

From JOE Hemba 

The Inter Party Advisory Council, Yobe State Chapter has called on the State Government to quickly make provision for the conduct of elections into the 17 local government councils of the state as their tenure expires on the 3rd November, 2022. 

The call of Yobe IPAC is also coming more than one month after The Nation Newspaper investigation published a story on the unpreparedness of the State Electoral Commission to conduct elections within the constitutional election notice and the time the tenure of the elected council chairmen will expire https://thenationonlineng.net/yobe-unprepared-to-conduct-council-election/

Addressing journalists in Damaturu yesterday, the Secretary of the group Muktar Garba demanded the State Independent Electoral Commission (SEIC) to provide a level playing ground for all political parties in the State for a free and fair exercise. 

 “We wish to emphasize that YSIEC should make adequate arrangements to give the political parties adequate time to prepare for the next election. This is necessary because, the political parties are committed to not only participate and contest, but to win the elections, hence, the need for adequate time to enable both SIEC and the parties effectively prepare for the exercise,” Muktar said. 

 The group also called on the state government to make adequate resources and time of not less than 12 months which according to them is allowed by the new Electoral Act 2022 as amended. 

 “In this vein, IPAC wishes to suggest that a transition Committee constituted for the 17 Local Government Councils. Members of the Transition Committee should be made up of persons of proven integrity with experience in Local Government Administration to run the Local Government Councils for the next 12 months as provided by the 2022 electoral Act until when a new election is conducted,” Yobe IPAC demanded. 

 The group called on the State House of Assembly to support the Executive arm to achieve her goal in the administration of the state.

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NGO Sensitizes Transporters, Security Over Risk Operations, Peace Building

Some of the participants at the meeting held in Damaturu

From JOE Hemba

 Taimaiko Community Development Initiative(TCDI)in partnership with Northeast Connection and PWAN yesterday brought together local transporters within Damaturu to sensitize them on the risk associated with their operations as well as their roles in bringing peace and security in the community. 

The meeting which comprised the leadership and participants of Keke NAPEP operators, Intra-township Taxi Drivers, Yobe State Road Transport Agency (YOROTA), National Union of Road Transport Workers(NURTW) Nigeria Police, Federal Road Safety Corp. Civil Defense, People with Disabilities, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency was held at the Submit Hotel in Damaturu, Yobe State.

 According to the organizers, the meeting which has its theme; “Unveiling the Role of Keke NAPEP Riders and Taxi Drivers in the Restoration of Peace and Security in Damaturu, Yobe State” became necessary so as to chat a way forward in respect of the high risk of crimes associated with these local transporters. 

The representative of the Executive Director, TCDI, Mammud Abdullahi Na’Allah explained that the main goal of the meeting was to create synergy and linkages of mitigating the high risks of crimes that are associated with their members and the sustenance of peace within their locality.

 “As a community based NGO involved in peace-building and security, we decided to bring these groups together to foster ways of collaboration and synergy on the need to mitigate the high risks of crimes that are associated with their operations within the locality,” Na’ Allah said.

 Mr. Na’Allah recalled how the ban on the use of motorcycle by the state government as a result of increased Boko Haram activities in 2012 has brought a serious challenge to the youths in the state. 

He noted that the program which is funded by USAID is targeting about 70 across the political wards in Damaturu including, Pawari, Gwange, Pompomari, and Nasarawa wards. 

A cross section of some of the participants at the meeting held in Damaturu

Also speaking, a Consultant with TCDI Dr. Umar Labaran Bashir noted that the gradual return of peace in the Northeast region is unfortunately giving birth to the rise of armed banditry and other crimes like kidnapping with the support of some of the transporters, hence the need to constantly engage them in peace building forums. 

He noted that, “TCDI in its efforts through Creative Associated with Funding from USAID and support from Northeast Connection find the need through series of research discovered that the high rate of crime committed within the community is as a result of the few members of the union participating in committing the crime. 

“This can be mitigated through activities like this which will improve understanding of the risk factor associated with their work as most people in the community hide under the unions to commit crimes,” Mr. Bashir said.

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Yobe SSG Opens 2023 Bilateral Budget Discussion, Calls for Increase IGR

Yobe SSG, Baba Malam Wali

 From JOE Hemba

 The Secretary to Yobe State Government, Baba Malam Wali has called on agencies of government to work together and increased the Internally Generated Revenue of the state to help execute the 2023 budget. 

 According to the SSG, the global financial crisis must forced every government to think out of the box and find creative ways of generating internal revenue for the execution of projects for the good and development of the people of the state.

Alhaji Baba Malam Wali disclosed this today Monday as he declared the annual bilateral budget discussion in preparation for the 2023 annual state budget. 

The meeting which comprised of all stakeholders and Civil Societies in the budget circle including community leaders also had in attendance ministries and parastatals who will present their budgets for scrutiny before final presentation and approval from the executive council.

“This occasion is paramount to our budget preparation process because it provides input to us from ministries and civil society organizations for a workable budget document. 

“In view of the importance of this exercise, I wish to call on everyone to per attention and make meaningful contribution to producing an acceptable budget for the development of our dear state. You should adhere strictly to budget process and prepare a workable plan for the implementation of the budget to ministry of budget and planning. 

“We Would like to recall that this budget is very critical because it will be the last budget of the first tenure of His Excellency, Gov. Mai Mala Buni. As you are aware, this administration has started a lot of developmental projects and those project must be completed in the 2023 budget. This is very very critical to us as a government,” the SSG said.

“All ministries and government agencies must have to work hard, and must work together to increase the internally generated revenue to of the state so as to help government gather enough funds for the execution of the budget for the development of our dear state,” Baba Malam Wali said. 

 The SSG called on participants to take the meeting seriously because it gives government a direction on how to prioritized  projects and spend money. 

 Earlier, Yobe State commissioner for Budget and Economic planning, Mohammed  Garba Gagiyo who is the convener of the meeting said the objective of the meeting is to prioritized the allocation of resources to critical needs of the people in the state. 

The commissioner added that all MDAs must adhere and ensure strict compliance with the needs generated from the three senatorial zones of the state. 

He commended the  Board of Internal Revenue Services for its digital compliance in the collection and remittance of tax which according to him has reduced leakages in the revenue generation, while calling on MDAs to also widen their tax nets to attract more revenue to the state. Hon. Gagiyo recalled that Yobe State through its transparent Budget preparation process has earned the state some accolades and even international and national rewards(financially) over the years.

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Counter Insurgency: World Bank Team Inspects Recovery Projects in Yobe

Mr. Masroor, Mr. Fuad and Mr. Jidawa at one of the project sites in Damaturu

From JOE Hemba

 

The World Bank Implementation Support Mission under the bank’s   rebuilding initiative of Northeast Nigeria  known as Multi-Sectoral Crisis Recovery Project(MCRP) today Thursday embarked on an inspection tour and support mission of projects executed in Yobe State.

 

MRCP is a World Bank project established in 2017 to improve access to basic services and livelihood opportunities for the crisis-affected communities of Adamawa, Borno, and Yobe States, and enhance coordination among these States and other Lake Chad countries following the Boko Haram insurgency.

The World Bank MCRP Task Team was  led by Fuad Malkawi some of the multi-million naira projects including a standard  reconstructed medical Store of the Ministry of Health, 14 units of Doctors Quarters and a  Modern Women Skills Acquisition Center equipped with children’s demonstration classrooms.

The team also comprised of the National Project Coordinator for the Multi-Sectoral Crisis Recovery Project, Mohammed Danjuma and other technical staff of the North-East Recovery and Stabilisation Programme and North East Development Commission (NERSP/NEDC).

Mr. Malkawi who was satisfied  with the quality of the projects, stressed that,  “the world bank is happy for getting  value for the money that has been spent in Yobe  State for the people who were affected by the crisis”.

Doctors quarters reconstructed by MCRP Yobe

He was however particularly impressed with the communication department for the manner in which they have documented the activities of the project, while promising to share them at the highest platforms of the bank for reference.

Another member of the delegation and Co- TTL Serana Cavicchi  also praised the communication department for carrying out a fantastic job in the documentation of the project’s activities in the state.

Earlier in his welcome remarks, the Yobe State Project Coordinator MCRP, Musa Idi Jidawa underscored the importance of the visits to the state

According to Mr. Jidawa, the visit of the  team  is coming, “with high expectations that the supervision mission will achieve a lot in terms of technical discussions to deepen our understanding of the implementation strategy for the MCRP- Additional Financing”.

He added, “I can recollect, during a similar visit by the team in May this year, a lot has been learned and many frontiers have been unlocked through the technical discussions which involved stakeholders from the line MDAs, contractors and consultants as well as the representatives of the community structures etc.

“The discussions have come up with recommendations which we pursued vigorously to close some identified implementation gaps, especially strengthening coordination. Learning, as we all know, is continuous and cross-cutting, therefore we expect this visit will further explore other frontiers by taking a look at our activities to strengthen implementation capacity”.

“At this juncture, I would like to commend the Task team for their tireless support and for being prompt in reviewing our submissions and timely clearance to commence such activities”, Mr. Jidawa said.

The Yobe Project Coordinator noted that the success of the project in the state is largely attributed to the  dynamic leadership of the State Governor, Mai Mala Buni and the effective engagement with all stakeholders in the state.  .

“Our robust engagement with the line MDAs and other stakeholders has provided leeway for flexibility in identifying and prioritizing the sub-projects and their locations based on complementarity and community needs.

The success of this  engagement going on between the project and its diverse stakeholders in the state is enabled by the dynamic leadership of the Executive Governor of Yobe, Mai Mala Buni which translates into openness and efficiency of the machinery of government, coupled with the people-centred legislature and vibrant citizens.

“These are the foundations on which we ride to succeed and it is highly commendable. We will continue to revolve around this exemplary leadership to drive the aspirations of the good people of Yobe state through the lens of the Project Development Objectives, Mr. Jidawa said.

He regretted the devastating effect of the recent flooding on some of the projects in the state, noting that the flood has taken a serious toll on the livelihood of the people.

His words: “In recent times, recovery efforts in the state have been challenged by Flooding which is one of the manifestations of climate change. Flooding has been widespread across the state due to rainfall variability. As a matter of fact, it has taken a toll on the livelihoods of households through damages to houses causing people to take refuge in public places such as schools.

”Livestock has also been drowned and farmland submerged by the floods while the transportation system has collapsed in major parts of the state, impacting negatively on rural, intra-state and inter-state mobility. This devastating impact of climate change will no doubt reverse some gains accomplished by MCRP, especially under the original financing.

“I hope the task team will consider this as one of its take-ups away from this mission. Climate is natural, but human actions can cause changes in the pattern and dimension of its manifestation and in the same way human action can also mitigate the negative impact of the changes.

The World Bank Team taking briefing at the Medical Store in Damaturu

“Far away in Pakistan, we have received with shock, the sad news about the devastation of flooding leading to loss of lives, damage to critical service delivery infrastructure and properties. May I, therefore, on behalf of the people and government of Yobe state convey our sympathies and condolences to the government and people of Pakistan through Engr. Masroor Ahmad who is here with us for the implementation supervision mission.

“Let me seize the opportunity to once again congratulate all of us for the feat of strength and accomplishment. We will continue to work in this direction up to the end of the project. Let me also appeal to our esteemed stakeholders to avail themselves of the opportunities to be provided by this mission by contributing through suggestions, recommendations and enquiries where necessary so that we can continue to move on the same page as always.

“Our special commendations go to Mr Fuad and his team for the continuous support, by being always available and prompt on our request despite the tight schedules. It is my hope and prayers that you will all enjoy your stay in Damaturu and look ahead to more visits”, he said.

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