…As VP commissions Bauchi Govt House complex
By Paul Orude, Bauchi
• Vice President Kashim Shettima (1st row left), Governor Bala Mohammed and his wife, at the commissioning of model Bauchi Government House Complex yesterday
Vice President, Kashim Shettima, has described the Bauchi State Government House as a foundation statement on urban renewal and improving government service delivery
VP Shettima stated this yesterday at the formal commissioning of the complex, and described Senator Bala Mohammed as a performing governor who symbolizes capacity and inclusivity.
“Indeed we need governing infrastructure to complement the ongoing efforts to build physical infrastructure.
“State governments are position to influence commercial, social, cultural and technological and economic pursues of life, which is crucial in emerging markets and developing economies, being larger share of global economic power,” he said.
Shettima’s plane landed at the Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa International Airport, Bauchi, around 10:28 am.
He was received by Mohammed in company with the Chairman of the North East Governors Forum, Babagana Zulum and governors from the subregion
The commissioning ceremony was attended by several dignitaries, including past Governors Adamu Muazu, Mohammed Abdullahi, Major General Chris Abutu Garba among others.
While commending the Bauchi governor, Shettima said: “This edifice will stand the test of time and posterity will judge the governor kindly for devoting his time, energy and resources towards the development of Bauchi state.
“We thank you sincerely for your leadership, for your inclusivity and capacity to reach to the other side of the aisle and build bridges.
“Governance is about inclusivity, governance is about reaching out and building bridges.”
He used the occasion to also commend the governors of the North East for their efforts to develop their states.
“The current crop of governors I must admit are far superior to previous past governors. I want to seize this opportunity to commend our governors for their comradeship, sense of purpose and commitment.
“They are united in the common cause of repositioning the North East sub-region
“We have no business fighting each other. We are all united by our common heritage of poverty, destitution and insecurity. More than ever before this is a time for us to coalesce into a single entity.”
In his remarks, Governor Mohammed thanked the Vice President for the honour to be physically present to commission the model government house complex project.
“He has shown himself as a factor who promises the broader and nobler demands of national unity and progress over narrow and partisan interests,” he said.
Governor Mohammed commended Shettima’s depth of knowledge and humility and understanding of the economy and the political landscape saying it makes him suitable and fit for the job
He recalled that his administration at inception enunciated a clear policy thrust called “My Bauchi Project Agenda” aimed to improve the welfare of the people.
He said the project was also aimed to ascertain a robust and diversified economy and up-scaling both the social centre and infrastructure in all ramifications.
“Remodelling of the dilapidated, badly mismanaged and inadequate Bauchi Government House came under the infrastructure remediation programme,” he said.
“We identified it as a strategic cornerstone of our ambitious urban renewal agenda. The previous government house was an affront on the state due to tedious that have compelled us to lose hours in an unconducive environment
“Our visitors, guests and visitors who have been privileged to interact with other nations and sub-national institutes in other states and see what we are with our demographics, with our historical pedigree at the centre of new politics in Nigeria.”
The new edifice comprises a grand stand, an international conference centre, banquet hall, expanded governor’s residence, new senior staff residences, clinic, new mosque, fire house, vehicle maintenance unit, central kitchen, and canteen shop power house, fuel service area, six member entrance gatehouses, with armoury with pedestrian, abattoir, external hall, drainages and so on.
“My tenancy of the government house from 2019 provided an instant and compelling justification for my earlier cringing and then brought to the fore the urgency of holistically resetting the architectural structure characterized by inadequate space,” he said
He said the Government House makes him have a modest sense of fulfilment for daring to do it in a big way with best intentions and prudent management of resources