The Governor of Yobe State, Alhaji Ibrahim Gaidam, has commended the state Ministry of Works and Transport for refurbishing 11 grounded fire service vehicles and renovating the dilapidated Office complex accommodating the headquarters of the Yobe State Fire Service, Damaturu.
Gaidam made the commendation while on inspection of the fleet of refurbished vehicles and renovation works at the office complex in company of the SSG, Baba Malam Wali , Head of Service HOS , Alhaji Dauda Yahaya and State Executive Council SEC members.
The governor was conducted round the premises and fleet of vehicles by the state Commissioner of Works, Transport and Energy, Alhaji Lawan Shettima Ali, who said that the estimate of the renovation and repairs works was about N13 million but due to high level of dilapidations and cost of spare parts for the refurbishing of the 11 fire Service vehicle’s, only five vehicles were ready and assembled for inspection as well ready for use.
While the renovation work will require additional fund to meet up with the construction works which are aimed at giving the fire service headquarter a new outlook and make the department more useful and functional.
The commissioner added that the ministry had already set up a committee to view the works and come out with a comprehensive estimate that will complete the works as scheduled.
Lawan said that six more fire service vehicles were yet to be put in shape due to high cost of spare parts indicating that the contract or works require variation or review as a lot of works still remained to be done.
He explained that the work was expected to be completed within six months and now remains three months for the works to be handed over.
Responding, Governor Gaidam directed the state Commissioner of Works, Alhaji Lawan Shettima, to forward to his office the estimate of the work cost for immediate action while expressing satisfaction with the standard of work.
Also inspecting township road linking Gashua bye-pass road and Sabon Pegi Pompomari area of Damaturu town and Ganye Uku Ajari area road network under construction, the governor was told by the State Commissioner of Works that the project was under direct labour of the ministry and cost about N92.6 million while level of work was at 75% for the 700 meters of road network and 1.4 kilometers drainage system to be completed at the end of April, 2017.
He added that Baban Tsangaya drainage system would be connected to the Ganye Uku Ajari drainage system to flow down to the Emirs Palace drainage to avoid flooding during the rainy season.
On the Damaturu Ultra Modern Central Roundabout reconstruction, the commissioner said that the contract was awarded to EEC at N100.4 million including resurfacing of all the four road networks linking the roundabout from Maiduguri, Gujba, Gashua and Potiskum, reshaping of the roundabout from a cycle to an oval shape, landscaping, solar street lights and drainages which contractors had been mobilized at 30%.
According to him, concrete works and filling of sand were at 100% while shoulder and interlocking works were at 65% completion and the general or overall works at 60% completion to put asplat to all the four roads linking the central roundabout including landscaping.