By Khalid Idris Doya
The Minister of State for Regional Development, Alhaji Uba Maigari Ahmadu, on Wednesday handed over a newly constructed Fire Service Station and water reservoir to the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU), Gubi Campus, Bauchi State, to enhance safety and improve access to potable water within the university and its host community.
The facilities were executed by the North East Development Commission (NEDC) as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen critical infrastructure in tertiary institutions across the North-East region.
The project comprises administrative offices, a fire tower, truck bay, fire truck, and water reservoir, designed to support effective emergency response and water supply.
Speaking at the commissioning ceremony, urged members of the university community to take ownership of the project, stressing that proper utilisation and maintenance would assure government that public funds were judiciously spent and appreciated by beneficiaries.
He assured that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu remains committed to supporting development commissions under the Ministry of Regional Development, a support that has enabled the execution of impactful projects across the region.
Earlier, the Managing Director/CEO of the NEDC, Alh. Mohammed G. Alkali, said the project underscored the federal government's commitment to rebuilding the North-East and providing institutions with infrastructure needed for sustainable development.
According to him, the intervention was necessitated by the need to protect lives and property in the event of fire outbreaks within the university community. He urged the university management to properly maintain the facilities to achieve the objectives for which they were provided.
Also speaking, the Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on the North-East Development Commission, Hon. Usman Zannah, commended the Commission for executing projects that directly improve the living standards of people across the subregion.
He noted that the project, which includes a fire-fighting truck and borehole, would significantly enhance the university's capacity to respond to emergencies.
In his remarks, the Vice-Chancellor of ATBU, Prof. Ibrahim Hassan Garba, described the fire service station as a "beacon of security" for the university and neighboring communities.
Represented by the University Librarian, Dr. Dauda Adamu, the Vice-Chancellor expressed appreciation to the Federal Government and the NEDC for the intervention. He assured that the university would fully integrate the facility into its emergency response system through regular training programmes and safety workshops.
He added that the borehole would significantly improve water supply on campus, thereby enhancing the welfare of students and staff.
The Vice-Chancellor also commended Bauchi State Governor, Senator Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed, for his continued support for developmental initiatives in the state.
Meanwhile, the Minister and his team also inspected the ongoing construction of Government Senior Secondary School, Bauchi, awarded by the NEDC.
During the visit, the Minister urged the construction firm to expedite work in line with approved specifications and standards. The contractor assured that the project would be completed within the next three months.
The school project includes an administrative block, 12 classrooms, two 100-bed capacity hostels, two three-bedroom staff quarters, eight two-bedroom staff quarters, an ICT centre with a 50-student capacity, a library with a 130-student capacity, laboratories, a dining hall, perimeter fencing with gatehouse, and a water supply system upgrade.
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