From Abdulwahab Muhammad SSA communication
Governor Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed has declared that his administration has successfully weathered recent political challenges while remaining focused on governance, project execution and service delivery across Bauchi State.Presiding over the State Executive Council meeting at the Government House, Bauchi, the Governor described the period between February and now as politically demanding following the transition from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) in compliance with court rulings.Despite the developments, Governor Bala Mohammed said the administration remained stable and committed to completing ongoing projects and sustaining democratic governance.
He commended members of the Executive Council and political allies who stood by the administration during the transition period, describing their loyalty as a demonstration of unity and collective responsibility.The Governor also appreciated the Allied Peoples Movement for accommodating members of the former PDP structure, while wishing well those who resigned to pursue elective positions ahead of future political contests.Governor Bala Mohammed further disclosed that dwindling revenue inflows, delays in federal allocations and unsuccessful borrowing plans had negatively affected the state’s financial position and budget implementation.
He, however, maintained that prudent management of available resources had enabled the government to sustain critical projects without abandoning any ongoing intervention.According to him, the administration is now intensifying focus on the education sector alongside continued investments in road infrastructure, healthcare and other strategic sectors despite prevailing financial challenges.
The Governor also revealed that the Council considered reports and white papers relating to administrative investigations, financial misconduct and reforms aimed at strengthening accountability and transparency within government institutions.He assured citizens that the administration would continue to uphold democratic values by encouraging healthy political competition and political tolerance without using state institutions to intimidate opponents.
Meanwhile, the Bauchi State Executive Council has approved a series of major policy decisions and infrastructure projects aimed at strengthening governance, improving traditional institutions and expanding critical infrastructure across the state.Briefing journalists after the meeting, the Chief Economic Adviser to the Governor, Alhaji Yahuza Adamu, announced that the Council approved an upward review of remuneration for traditional rulers across the state.According to him, the package covers First Class, Second Class and Third Class Emirs, District Heads and Village Heads as part of efforts to strengthen traditional institutions for effective grassroots administration.He explained that the present administration had earlier provided vehicles, accommodation and other support facilities to traditional rulers, adding that the newly approved package represents over a 300 percent increase in remuneration.
Also speaking, the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Barrister Hassan El-Yakub, disclosed that the Council adopted recommendations contained in two separate white paper reports.He explained that one of the reports followed an investigative panel established by Governor Bala Mohammed to probe alleged abuse of administrative and financial procedures, including unauthorized loans and financial transactions linked to the tenure of a former Accountant General between 2021 and 2024.Barrister Hassan El-Yakub said the investigation uncovered alleged financial losses running into billions of naira, leading to approvals for disciplinary actions, reforms, possible prosecutions and recovery processes against individuals and institutions found culpable.The Attorney General added that the Council also approved the white paper on the visitation panel to Sa’adu Zungur University, addressing issues relating to salaries, pensions, staff unionism and institutional administration, with directives for immediate implementation of key recommendations.On infrastructure development, the Commissioner for Works, Professor Saul Titus Ketkuka, disclosed that the Executive Council ratified nineteen road and infrastructure projects across the state following due process approvals.The approved projects include installation of solar street lights around the International Conference Centre and airport corridors, rehabilitation of the Alkaleri road, upgrading of airfield facilities, rehabilitation of roads leading to Gubi Dam and the treatment plant, as well as installation of a CAT 2 Instrument Landing System at the Bauchi International Airport.Professor Ketkuka said the approvals reflect the administration’s determination to sustain infrastructure expansion, improve connectivity and promote sustainable urban development despite prevailing economic realities.
