By Auwal Ahmad, Gombe

Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum, has commissioned roads, a bridge, a Local Council Development Area (LCDA) secretariat and two district head palaces in Kwami Local Government Area of Gombe State.

The projects, located in Bojude and Daban Fulani communities, were commissioned by Zulum during a ceremony attended by Gombe State Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya and other government officials, traditional rulers and residents.

Speaking at the event, Zulum said the projects reflected the importance of investing simultaneously in infrastructure, grassroots administration and traditional institutions.

He said the roads and bridge would improve connectivity for rural communities and make it easier for residents to access markets, schools, healthcare facilities and other essential services.

According to him, improved road networks could also help farmers move their produce to markets and strengthen economic activities in rural areas.

“For our rural communities, a reliable road can make the difference between produce reaching the market and going to waste; between a child attending school regularly and struggling to get there; and between a patient receiving timely care and facing a difficult journey,” he said.

Zulum commended the Gombe State Government for prioritising infrastructure development in Kwami, saying better connectivity remained essential to improving livelihoods and expanding economic opportunities.

He, however, said the success of the newly commissioned Bojude LCDA Secretariat would depend largely on the quality of services delivered to residents.

The governor urged officials working at the secretariat to make responsiveness, accountability and fairness central to their responsibilities.

“I urge those who will work in this secretariat to make it a place where citizens are welcomed, listened to, and served with fairness and respect,” he said.

Zulum also stressed the importance of traditional institutions, particularly in maintaining peace, resolving disputes and strengthening the relationship between government and local communities.

He said the new palaces for the District Heads of Bojude and Daban Fulani should serve not only as administrative residences but also as centres for dialogue, reconciliation and community leadership.

“Our traditional rulers preserve our heritage, promote peaceful coexistence, help resolve disputes, and provide a vital link between government and the people,” he said.

The Borno governor urged traditional rulers to continue supporting government efforts in education, peacebuilding, community cooperation and security.

He commended Governor Inuwa Yahaya’s administration for executing the projects, stressing that governments in the North-East needed to work together to address the region’s development challenges.

Zulum said the region’s governors had a shared responsibility to strengthen institutions, expand opportunities and improve the conditions of citizens.

He also appealed to residents of Bojude and Daban Fulani to protect the newly commissioned facilities and ensure that they were properly maintained.

“Let us also remember that commissioning marks the beginning of a facility’s service to the public. The work must continue through proper maintenance, effective administration, and a lasting commitment to the people for whom these projects were built,” he said.

Zulum thereafter formally commissioned the roads and bridge projects, the Bojude LCDA Secretariat and the district head palaces in Bojude and Daban Fulani for use by the communities.

He prayed for continued peace and development in Gombe State, Borno State, the North-East and Nigeria.

In his remarks, Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya said the creation of the Local Council Development Areas was aimed at bringing governance and development closer to the people. He said the initiative was inspired by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s experience as governor of Lagos State, where similar structures were used to deepen grassroots administration and improve access to government services.

Inuwa said the establishment of the 13 development areas was part of his administration’s effort to strengthen local governance and ensure that communities received greater attention in the delivery of infrastructure and public services. He expressed appreciation to Governor Zulum for honouring the invitation to commission the projects, describing his presence as a demonstration of the bonds of cooperation and solidarity among North-East states.