By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
Construction of a 200-bed Isolation Centre has been approved for Yobe State University Teaching Hospital (YSUTH), Damaturu worth N7,022,754, 651.11.
Information, Home Affairs and Culture Commissioner, Abdullahi Bego, made the announcement after a State Executive Council (SEC) meeting in Damaturu, chaired by Governor Mai Buni.
Bego said the money will cater for other health projects, roads, and the Yobe Cargo International Airport under construction.
The Isolation Centre, he stressed, is a proactive measure against an outbreak of any kind of disease that will require such a facility, apart from coronavirus.
His words: “The State Executive Council ratified the approval of the sum of N1, 202, 406, 208.99 for the supply of medical equipment and furniture for the Medical College of the Yobe State University and the procurement of electronic medical records and the training of members of staff at the Yobe State University Teaching Hospital (YSUTH), and the specialist hospitals in Damaturu, Potiskum, and Gashu’a,” Bego said in a statement, reported by The Nation.
“Also approved is the sum of N288,998,270.00 for the construction of 1.5-kilometre road and 3.0-kilometre concrete drains through direct labour at the Dr Shehu Sule College of Nursing and Midwifery, Damaturu.
“Similarly, the sum of N169,041,071.35 was approved for the rehabilitation of Kaliyari-Bayamari road through direct labour as well as the rehabilitation of the Jakusko-Garin Alkali Road at the cost of N219,698,226.92.
“Council has also approved the sum of N1,225,632,904.34 for revised additional works on the Nguru Modern Market project.”
Kebbi receives 60,704 doses of Moderna vaccines
Kebbi received 60,704 doses of Moderna COVID-19 vaccines from the federal government, according to Health Commissioner Jaafar Muhammad.
He explained in Birnin-Kebbi that those who have taken the first jab of AstraZeneca vaccines are to wait for the arrival of its second dose for their second jabs.
Yahaya touts peace and security in Gombe
Gombe State Governor Inuwa Yahaya said the relative peace in the state is attributable to the combined effort of the government and residents.
He explained after a meeting with the Chief of Staff to the President, Ibrahim Gambari, in Abuja that the people have seen reason to reject ethnic and religious bigotry to ensure peace, according to reporting by The Nation.
“We thank God for helping us as far as the issue of security is concerned. We are in the midst of the North East and we are aware of the challenges in the frontline states of Borno, Yobe and Adamawa are facing.
“So, we’ve tried as much as possible in order to live in peace and harmony. We are happy and by the grace of God we shall try to sustain that going forward,” he said.
Yahaya added that much has been achieved working with security agencies and residents on how to manage challenges in the state.
Stakeholders, including monarchs, students as well as religious groups, among others, recently met to chart on the way forward and sustain harmony in the state.
“All stakeholders, the traditional institution, schools and security agencies were called to the Government House. We briefed them, and we advised them not to take any reprisal attack on anybody, either from the Christian or from the Muslim side.”
He said procurement processes have been completed for Gombe Modern Industrial Park and the project, which covers 347 hectares of land, will be awarded at the end of this month at a cost of N17 billion.
