….Dismiss claims of using direct labour in project implementations
Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno state has pledged that his administration will ensure prudent management and implementation of resources from the 2025 budget hitherto presented to the House of Assembly in allocating contractual projects to Loyalists of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC including groups and associations who have contributed meaningfully to his leadership.
He however dismissed claims from certain quarters who alleged that throughout his sixth years budget presentations, most projects executed were carried out by direct labour, insisting that many housing estates and other projects highlighted in the forthcoming 2025 appropriation Bill would be prioritised for party supporters and loyalists.
Zulum boasted that, since assumption in office in the year 2019 to date, most of the projects executed were allocated to individuals, private/ corporate organisations, which were adjudged to be one of the highest so ever in all the 19 northern states of the federation.
The Governor made these stunned revelation when he played host of APC stakeholders at the Government House Maiduguri on Monday shortly after successful presentation of the “Budget of Recovery and Continuity,” with a total sum of ₦584.76 billion aimed at consolidating the state’s developmental strides at the floor of the House of Assembly led by the longest Serving Speaker in Nigeria, Rt. Hon. Abdulkarim Lawan.
Addressing the Stakeholders in attendance, such as the APC Deputy National Chairman, Dr. Ali Bukar Dalori, Deputy Governor, Dr. Umar Usman Kadafur, Borno APC Chairman, former Deputy Governor, Alhaji Usman Mamman Durkwa, Senators representing North, South, and Central, Chief Whip Mohammed Tahir Monguno, Ali Ndume and Kaka Shehu Lawan, House of Representative members like Hon. Muktari Betera (Biu/ Shani/ Kwaya Kusar/ Bayo), Hon. Ahmed Satomi (Jere), Hon. Ahmed Jaha Babawo (Gwoza/ Damboa/ Chibok), Hon. Kadiri Rahis (MMC), Hon Usman Zannah (Gubio/Magumeri/ Kaga) Federal Constituencies among other stakeholders, Zulum insisted that there is the need for all hands to be on the deck to avoid division in the party and development of the fragile state of Borno that is gradually coming out from its wounds of insurgency.
His words: ” On several opportunities, I have heard that some people from our great party were alleging that I don’t give contract to APC loyalists, rather, I only rely on Direct Labour which is not true.
“Notwithstanding, i pledged that this administration under my leadership will ensure prudent management and implementation of resources from the 2025 budget hitherto presented to the House of Assembly to allocate contractual projects to Loyalists of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC including groups and associations who have contributed meaningfully to our leadership and progress.
“Although, at certain times, I have to do the needful to allow progress and shun allocating project or contract to individuals for Borno to move forward, because, at a point , I realized that most of the projects or contracts given to individuals or their proxies do not see the light of the day, as they remained unexecuted or poorly executed, which is uncalled for based on the constitution and other path we took as leaders.
“Therefore I want to unequivocally dismissed claims from certain quarters who alleged that throughout my sixth years budget presentations, most projects executed were carried out by direct labour.
“It is on record that since my assumption in office in the year 2019 to date, most of the projects executed were allocated to individuals, private/ corporate organisations, which were adjudged to be one of the highest so ever in all the 19 northern states of the federation”. Zulum noted.
He then called on all APC supporters to unite and have a common understanding with his administration which is poised to end insecurity, Reconstruct, Rehabilitation and Resettlement of Displaced individual and ensure inclusive and transformational development at all levels and communities across the 27 local government areas in the state.
Earlier in his vote of thanks, The APC Deputy National Chairman, Ali Dalori appreciated governor Zulum for his foresight and inclusivity governance.
He urged all supporters of the APC,and Borno citizens irrespective of political party affiliations to give maximum support and cooperation to the present Zulum’s administration in order to take the state from its promised land.
