Zulum commits to inclusive governance, equity for South Borno constituents
By Tada Jutha, Maiduguri
Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum has adopted inclusive governance with a commitment to justice in the equitable sitting of infrastructural development projects across the state.
The constituents’ inclusiveness will enable him to serve them, based on what, in principle and practice, the social contract binding for the dividends of democracy and accountability is.
Unveiling the binding social contract, on Monday in Maiduguri, the special adviser to the governor on media, Dauda Iliya, stated that equitable distribution of infrastructural facilities and other social services in the senatorial districts is weighed on the sacred ideals of governance.
He added that “They are based on inclusiveness, justice and equity to the various ethnic groups and associations in the state.
“With the massive destruction of development infrastructures and public structures in the 15-year Boko Haram insurgency, required inclusivity and equity in the sitting of development projects and other basic services in the various sectors of the economy, including health, education and security.
He noted that the contract of inclusiveness with constituents and their representatives at the National and State Houses of Assemblies has accelerated the post-insurgency recovery process with resilience.
Citing Zulum’s performance since 2019, Iliya said, “The governor was reported to have completed over 1,000 capital projects and equitably sited them in the three senatorial districts of the state.”
Besides the distribution of the dividends of democracy, the SA noted that Zulum was apparently spurred with passion for inclusivity in the conduct of governance based on the ideals of administrative and political justice and equity to all.
“Prof. Zulum seeks to equitably satisfy and earn the reverence of every senatorial district as a just and fair governor,” said Iliya.
He stated that it was in sustenance of this tradition that Zulum undertook a three-day working visit to the South Borno senatorial district, comprising nine local government areas, in which he inaugurated the state-of-the-art Eye and Dental hospitals and a mega secondary school in the Biu local council area.
In sustaining healthcare delivery services, the governor also approved the appointment of highly trained medical doctors and specialists to treat cataracts, glaucoma and other vision-impaired ailments in communities.
He said the 30-bed capacity dental hospital is to deliver oral health services, including orthodontics and restorative treatments, noting that these will ensure that residents no longer have to travel for dental care, as it is already at their doorsteps.
His words: “Healthcare is one of the pillars of the state’s 25-year development plan and the 10-year strategic transformation initiative,” noting that while implementing the development plan, the state government allocates 15% of its annual budget to the health sector.
He said the budgetary allocations were in line with the Abuja declaration on healthcare financing to prioritise healthcare and well-being of the people.
Zulum also pledged to resuscitate the 40-year-abandoned Biu dam project to boost irrigation farming and food security in the senatorial district endowed with the Hawul River Basin.
