From Olukayode Idowu
Yobe State is set to commence the development of 3,600 housing units across the state.
This follows the approval of about N16 billion on Wednesday by the state executive council.
A statement by the State Commissioner of Information, Mallam Abdullahi Bego, said the approval and several others where given on Wednesday after a meeting of the State Executive Council headed by Governor Mai-Mala Buni.
He said many issues that affect the progress of the state and the wellbeing of the people were discussed, with the meeting also approving new contracts and ratified others “as the Buni administration continues to move the state forward despite prevailing economic and fiscal challenges.”
He said: “The Council approved the total sum of N15, 957, 202, 322 for the construction of 3600 housing units across the state.
“However, the State Executive Council has decided that the housing project would be pursued in phases. At the first phase, 1800 units, or 50 percent of the approved total, will be built across the 17 local government areas.
“These 1800 housing units comprises 701 units of three-bedrooms, 324 units of two-bedrooms urban and 775 units of two-bedroom rural designs.”
He disclosed that the funds for the construction of the 3600 housing units have been secured from the Federal Ministry of Finance through the Family Homes Finance Ltd.”
He added that: “Council also ratified the sum of N1, 086, 875, 000.00 for the supply of 50 Toyota Hiace Hummer Buses for the Yobe Transport Services Ltd, Damaturu,” lamenting that “some vehicles in the fleet of the government- owned transport company have aged and many have become dysfunctional,” due to many years of use on the highways.
He said this has made the procurement of the buses designed to replenish and reinvigorate the fleet of the Yobe Transport Company so that the company is better able to provide quality and efficient service across the state and the country imperative.
Bego said the council also N273.6 million and N136 million for the construction of one kilometre of road and two kilometres of concrete drains that link Obasanjo Estate, Damaturu with Mallum Mattari Ward and for raising of three million seedlings and rehabilitation of three nurseries at Nguru, Gashu’a and Bayamari respectively.