Yobe seeks Arab bank support for post-insurgency recovery projects
Tada Juthan, Maiduguri
Governor Mai Mala Buni of Yobe State has sought support of the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA) to accelerate the reconstruction, rehabilitation, and economic recovery projects.
According to him, the state economy is grossly inadequate to address the massive destruction of infrastructure and other property destroyed in the 15-year Boko Haram insurgency.
The Director General, Press and Media Affairs to the Governor, Mamman Mohammed, disclosed in a statement in Damaturu, that the meeting with the Arab Development Bank was to explore economic means for the reconstruction, rehabilitation, and economic recovery process.
“Buni had discussions with the President of BADEA, Dr. Sidi Ould Tah, on the areas of support and partnership in the post-insurgency recovery projects across the state,” he said.
The governor also lamented that the state is the most, after Borno State, in the over a decade-long insurgency that claimed many lives and property.
He listed the destroyed property as including schools, electricity and water supply facilities, hospitals, roads and bridges, and means of livelihood.
According to him, as peace has been restored, the state government has returned the internally displaced persons (IDPs) to communities.
“We’ve relocated the displaced persons to their communities after rebuilding infrastructure destroyed by the insurgents,” he said.
According to him, the complete return of IDPs was to complement the post-insurgency recovery projects, including the restoration of people’s livelihoods in communities.
Besides, Buni added: “Our reconstruction, rehabilitation, and resettlement initiatives had been recognised as a role model by the United Nations Development Programme (UND).
“We’re a leading state in sesame seeds and gum Arabic production in Nigeria and one of the largest producers of livestock, including cattle, sheep, goats, and camels.”
He told the president of the S’Arabia Development Bank that with the return of peace, a conducive investment environment has been created for the economic development of the state.
On the state’s investment environment, he said: “The inaugurated International Cargo Airport, Damaturu, provides an effective means of transporting agricultural produce and livestock within and outside the country.”
Other enabling environments for the investors comprise the development of the agricultural sector, the establishment of more schools and health and water supply facilities, and the mitigation of climate change to ensure smart agriculture among farmers.
While commending the Buni administration for revamping the agriculture, education, and health sectors, Dr. Tah said, “The implementation of these policies will not only provide an enabling environment for investors but also improve the living conditions of people.
“We’re ready to support the state government’s efforts to achieve its goals of sustainable economic development and growth.”
He, therefore, assured that the bank would explore areas of partnership and cooperation to support the reconstruction and recovery program of the state government.
