Yobe govt earmarks over N10bn for social services.

By RAYYAN ALHASSAN

The Yobe State Executive Council has approved the spending of over N10 billion for the provision of various social services in the state.

The Commissioner for Home Affairs, Information and Culture, Abdullahi Bego, said it was assented to during the council meeting chaired on Wednesday, by Governor Mai Mala Buni.

DAILY NIGERIAN gathered that the ratification included N315 million for the provision of 14 SOCOOL 4X4 Diesel Vehicles to the State Roads Traffic Agency, YOROTA.

Another N582, 939, 420.91 was approved for the construction of a 2.6 km flexible pavement road and 5.2km rectangular reinforced concrete drainage in Potiskum.

The Council also ratified the sum of N863, 927, 506.76 for the construction of 3.2km and 6.4 rectangular reinforced drainage at Nguru Town.

The sum of N593, 098, 473.71 was also assigned for the construction of 2.0km road and 4.0km drainage at Gashu’a.

Another N550, 451, 659.07 was approved for a similar project in Gaidam, namely 2.0km flexible pavement road and 4.0km concrete drains.

N930, 766, 924.81 was also ratified for the construction of a 5.3km road to link Potiskum Dual Carriageway to Gujba Dual Carriageway in Damaturu metropolis.

Another N298, 303, 485.50 was ratified by the Council to compensate owners of property acquired for the construction of the Nguru Modern Market.

The Council also ratified the sum of N2, 880, 091, 770.34 for the construction of the Phase 1 of the Potiskum Truck Transit Park.

Also ratified was the sum of N2, 614, 454, 200.00 for the construction of the Nguru Modern Market; N195, 831, 900.00 for compensation of property owners used for the construction of the Potiskum Modern Market.

Another N370, 387, 488.00 was also approved for the connection of eight MDAs to the State Integrated Financial Management Information System, SIFMIS.

The total amount approved or ratified by the Council stands at N11, 665, 007, 193.27.

In the same vein, the council addressed some welfare issues that redound to the commitment of the governor.

According to the statement, this was to take every measure necessary to improve the people’s living conditions.

To this end, the Council deliberated and approved a recommendation to lease GAAT Hotel, Damaturu to MESSRS Softcloud Solutions Ltd for an initial period of ten years.

This was, on the basis that the lease partner would inject capital to finance the renovation, remodelling, upgrade and professional management of the hotel.

The lease also provided for a profit-sharing arrangement for 65 percent for Softcloud Ltd and 35 percent for the state government for the first five years of the agreement.

It added that during the second five years, the profit-sharing ratio will be 60 percent for the lease partner and 40 percent for the state government.

The statement said: “As stated, MSSRS Softcloud Solutions Ltd will inject funds to renovate and upgrade the hotel.

“The amount that the two parties agreed to be invested for the hotel upgrade is N250 million.

“The profit-sharing ratio was agreed in view of the fact that the lease partner will spend its own money to renovate and upgrade the hotel.

“It should be noted that the Yobe State Government continues to own GAAT Hotel and, at the end of the ten-year lease period, will determine whether to take back full ownership or extend the lease agreement for another period of time.”

The Council also considered and approved an offer by the Federal Inland Revenue Service, FIRS, to purchase a property belonging to the Yobe State Government at Cadastral Zone Abuja at the cost of N850 million.

The statement said: “The Council considered all the observations made about the maintenance of the property, the cost of renovating it and putting it to good use if the government were to continue to own it, etc.

“Under the leadership of His Excellency, Governor Mai Mala Buni, the Council also approved a recommendation to use the proceeds of the sale to build a modern shopping mall in Damaturu metropolis as part of the Mega City Development Plan of His Excellency the governor.

“The State Executive Council reckoned that both the lease of the GAAT Hotel and the sale of the Abuja property and using the proceeds to build the mall will enhance the economic development of the state.”

The statement noted that while peace continues to return to the state and more people visit the state capital for business and work, these measures would help boost economic activity and improve internally generated revenue.

Meanwhile, the Council also approved the sum of N800, 072, 510.35 for revised additional works on the Damaturu Modern Market project.

It also approved another N669, 681, 763.81 for additional electrical works at the Damaturu International Cargo Airport.

It said: “It should be noted that the Damaturu International Cargo Airport is currently at 93 percent completion.

“The installation of the additional electrical works not previously covered by the initial contract will ensure the timely completion of the airport.

“This is in accordance to all the standards and guidelines set forth by the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) and the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).”