… Roads, Housing, & Infrastructure Elicit Praise from Regional Development Minister.
By Babagana Bukar Wakil, Maiduguri
Minister of Regional Development, Engr. Abubakar Momoh, has commended the North-East Development Commission (NEDC) for its impactful infrastructure projects in Borno State, describing them as practical demonstrations of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
Speaking to journalists during an inspection tour of NEDC projects across Maiduguri, Jere , Mafa and others the minister said the commission’s interventions particularly in road construction and resettlement have brought tangible development to long-neglected communities. The tour began with a courtesy visit to the Deputy Governor, represented Governor Babagana Zulum who is currently on an official foreign mission, minister has also visited the Shehu of Borno.
Momoh highlighted the significance of a 45-kilometre network of newly constructed roads that linked Koshebe, Zabarmari, Gossuma, and other communities. “These are not roads destroyed by insurgents but constructed. These are fresh, new roads opening up no fewer than five major communities that previously had no access road ,” the minister said.
He emphasized that the roads, which connect major agricultural and economic zones like the Jerre-Bowl axis of Maiduguri, will significantly boost economic activities. “We saw the joy on the faces of locals some of whom are not even Borno indigenes but Nigerians from other states because for the first time, they are witnessing real development in their area,” Momoh stated.
In addition to road projects, the minister inspected a newly developed resettlement community in Ngowm, comprising 1,000 modern two-bedroom housing units with water supply, healthcare facilities, and security infrastructure. “This community, built by the NEDC, has transformed what used to be makeshift camps into dignified living spaces. Life is gradually returning to normal for displaced families,” he noted.
The tour also included a visit to the NEDC’s permanent state office and a groundbreaking site for its new eight-storey headquarters, currently undergoing deep foundation to support high-rise structures. Momoh revealed that the land was allocated to the Commission by former Governor Zulum and is being developed into a landmark institutional facility.
On whether President Tinubu deserves a second term based on current achievements, Momoh responded affirmatively. “He has done remarkably well, but the challenge is low publicity. With development commissions now established in all regions and once they are fully funded, we will witness a nationwide transformation,” he said.
He concluded by calling for continued public support for the President, reiterating that the vision behind regional commissions is to decentralize development and ensure it reaches rural communities directly.
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