News
Zulum Consolidates 5th Year with 238 Projects
Zulum Consolidates 5th Year with 238 Projects
…Delivers 1,195 Developmental Projects, Programmes and Policies in 5 Years
By: Our Reporter
Governor Babagana Umara Zulum of Borno State continued his commitment towards transforming the state in the first year of his second tenure of office. He consolidated on democratic gains by delivering 238 additional projects in the First Year of his Second Tenure, from May 29, 2023 to May 29, 2024. In 5 Years, Zulum has cumulatively accomplished no less than 1,195 developmental projects and capital-intensive programmes and policies that are people oriented.
It would be recalled that over 900 projects, programmes and policies were delivered during Zulum’s First Tenure [May 29, 2019 to May 29, 2023].
The 238 projects delivered in the first 365 days of his Second Tenure comprise of 220 capital projects and 18 capital-intensive programmes and policies, most of which were completed.
The achievements included 54 projects on Education, across 23 Local Government Areas, including 36 new Mega and Regular Senior/Junior Secondary and Primary Schools, High Islamic College and Integrated Tsangaya schools, including admin blocks, teachers’ quarters, laboratories, sporting facilities, solar systems, new ICT laboratories and 88 science laboratories in 22 schools, 58 vehicles for monitoring and evaluation of schools, 6,529 furniture sets for schools and education offices, among others.
In the Health sector, Zulum delivered 19 projects in 10 LGAs across all the 3 Senatorial Zones, including 6 new primary healthcare centers (PHCs), new General Hospital, 2 new Eye and Dental Hospitals, block of classrooms at a Nursing School, construction of 2 new Colleges of Nursing, the rehabilitation of 3 General Hospitals, and state-wide initiatives [solar systems in 22 PHCs and a General Hospital, supply of medical equipment, essential drugs, and consumables, etc]. Works and Housing got 20 projects across 6 LGAs, transforming urban and rural landscapes.
On Works, Zulum constructed Borno’s second flyover and an underpass pedestrian bridge, while the third flyover is under construction.
The construction of 32.77km urban and rural roads, including dual carriage ways, drainages, and road networks are under way, procured tracked paver, bulldozer to facilitate direct labour works in the state and ensure judicious utilisation of scarce resources.
On Housing, government has constructed 2 separate estates, comprising of 500-units; and 72-units 3-bedroom flats with road networks delivered for civil servants and residents.
On Security, Zulum supported the post-insurgency operations with 94 brand new Hilux, 62 Toyota Land Cruiser (Samsara) patrol vehicles, assorted security gadgets, equipment and logistics; procured 300 new motorcycles; repaired/upgraded 49 vehicles; and built a new office complex with support facilities for the Borno State Security Trust Fund to support security architecture and operations.
On Vocational and Entrepreneurship skills, government has completed and equipped 5 vocational institutes across Borno’s 3 Senatorial Zones in 10 LGAs, it has also constructed 3 ICT centres, trained 832 youths and empowered them with start-up kits, as well as training of 200 youths as agricultural extension workers and 400 farming households.
On Trade, Investment and Tourism 4 capital-intensive projects in 3 LGAs, including the complete reconstruction and rehabilitation of Maiduguri Monday market, which was razed by fire in February 2023 were carried out. He also constructed 176 shops [8-blocks of 22 open shops] with solar power at new Tashan Bama market [Phase II], established a new Agro Logistics Hub; rehabilitated the Gamboru Ngala cattle market; and remodelled the Borno State Hotel to boost revenue and tourism.
There were also 7 projects on Transportation and Energy in 4 LGAs, to cushion the effects of the fuel subsidy removal, comprising 150 vehicles [50 buses and 100 E-Star hatchback electric cars.
To subsidise metro city transport, the administration procured 500 electric tricycles, 300 electric and 10,000 manual bicycles.
He also procured and installed electricity transformers [across 14 locations] and 7,675 solar streetlights for roads in 9 locations in 2 LGAs. To support and boost economic livelihoods, Zulum’s government purchased five J5 vehicles, 30 tricycles and 10 Golf Wagon for Baga’s resettled communities.
In Agriculture, Zulum initiated 29 new projects and resuscitated moribund ones in 13 LGAs, including the procurement and distribution of 2 swamp buggies for waterway desilting, typer grass clearing, hundreds of water pumps, about 2,000 assorted irrigation/hand pumps and tube wells, irrigation farm inputs, hundreds of assorted fertilizer trucks, assorted agro-chemicals, spray equipment, improved seedlings, livestock feeds and vaccines],
Improvement of 225 hectares solar surface and sprinkler irrigation systems; 2,060 irrigation tube wells/wash boreholes and solar/petrol tube wells; 10 hectares drip irrigation scheme, agro logistics hub, livestock investigation/breeding, poultry demonstration and holding centres, and poultry production unit. He also resuscitated about 100 hectares Jaffi and Ngulayi irrigation schemes, among others.
Governor Zulum has continuously ensured food and nutrition security for the whole Borno population while supporting farmers to return to farming as part of livelihood restoration
Other sectoral achievements include 26 new, rehabilitated and upgraded projects in the Urban and Rural Water Supply sectors; 6 new and rehabilitated Rural and Urban Electrification projects; 35 newly completed and rehabilitated projects on Reconstruction, Resettlement and Civil Authority Restoration; and 8 new and ongoing projects on the Environment.
18 capital-intensive programmes and policies executed on investments in human capital development, Education and Public Service, providing Humanitarian Support and Social Protection to vulnerable population, as well as the payment of gratuity to retirees.
Government is poised to support the return of its indigenes’ from Niger, Tchad and Cameroun. while it concentrate the voluntary resettlement of IDPs in their ancestral homes in a dignified manner following the Kampala Convention.
Governor Zulum is also working tirelessly to actualize the Borno Model, applauded even by the United Nations to find Durable and sustainable for Borno Communities in his quest for reconstruction, resettlement and rehabilitation thus “Building Borno Back and Better”
Zulum Consolidates 5th Year with 238 Projects
News
Cuba Blames U.S. Sanctions for Deepening Energy Crisis, Responds Cautiously to Reported $100m Aid Offer
Cuba Blames U.S. Sanctions for Deepening Energy Crisis, Responds Cautiously to Reported $100m Aid Offer
By: Michael Mike
The government of Cuba has intensified accusations against the United States over the island’s worsening electricity and economic crisis, while cautiously welcoming reports of a proposed $100 million American aid package amid growing humanitarian concerns.
In separate statements issued this week, Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel and government officials argued that the country’s severe power shortages, fuel scarcity, and economic hardship are direct consequences of decades-long U.S. sanctions and what Havana described as an increasingly aggressive “energy blockade.”
The latest developments come as Cuba experiences one of its most difficult periods in recent years, marked by prolonged blackouts, shortages of food and medicine, rising inflation, and mounting public frustration.
Díaz-Canel said the situation affecting Cuba’s National Power System had become “especially tense,” with authorities forecasting a deficit of more than 2,000 megawatts during peak evening demand.
According to the Cuban leader, fuel shortages alone were responsible for preventing the generation of at least 1,100 megawatts of electricity, significantly worsening blackouts across the country.
He accused Washington of deliberately obstructing fuel supplies to Cuba by threatening sanctions and punitive measures against countries and companies willing to trade with Havana.
“This dramatic worsening has a single cause: the genocidal energy blockade that the U.S. has imposed on our country,” Díaz-Canel declared.
The Cuban president argued that recent improvements in electricity supply during April demonstrated the direct relationship between fuel imports and power generation capacity.
He noted that the arrival of a single fuel tanker — out of the eight Cuba reportedly requires monthly — temporarily reduced electricity deficits and mitigated blackouts, though outages did not disappear entirely.
Díaz-Canel further accused sections of the U.S. media and political establishment of attempting to portray Cuba’s economic crisis as solely the result of government mismanagement while ignoring the impact of sanctions and economic restrictions.
According to him, neither the decades-old U.S. embargo nor the additional sanctions imposed during the administration of former President Donald Trump had succeeded in overthrowing the Cuban Revolution.
He alleged that more recent executive measures targeting fuel supplies, foreign trade, and investment in Cuba were specifically designed to increase suffering among ordinary citizens and provoke unrest against the government.
Despite the criticism, Havana has also reacted cautiously to reports that the United States Department of State had formally proposed an aid package valued at $100 million for Cuba.
In a separate government statement, Cuban authorities said it remained unclear whether the proposed assistance would come in the form of direct financial support or material aid such as fuel, food, or medicine.
The Cuban government said it was prepared to consider foreign aid offered in good faith and expressed openness to working with the Catholic Church in implementing humanitarian support efforts.
“We are willing to hear the details of the offer and how it would be implemented,” the statement said, while warning against any attempt to use humanitarian assistance for political leverage.
Havana maintained that the most meaningful support Washington could provide would be the easing of economic, commercial, financial, and energy restrictions imposed on the island.
Cuban officials argued that sanctions had intensified “as never before” in recent months, severely affecting nearly every sector of the economy and worsening living conditions for millions of citizens.
The latest exchange reflects the complicated and often confrontational relationship between Havana and Washington, which has remained strained for more than six decades despite intermittent attempts at diplomatic rapprochement.
While Cuba insists that U.S. sanctions are the central driver of its current crisis, critics of the Cuban government continue to point to structural inefficiencies, state control of the economy, and policy failures as major contributors to the country’s prolonged economic difficulties.
Nevertheless, the apparent willingness of both sides to discuss humanitarian assistance suggests a potentially significant, though cautious, opening for limited engagement amid escalating hardship on the island.
Cuba Blames U.S. Sanctions for Deepening Energy Crisis, Responds Cautiously to Reported $100m Aid Offer
Troops Arrest Suspected Gunrunner in Taraba State
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS), in collaboration with Defence Intelligence Agency operatives and local vigilantes, have arrested a suspected gunrunner in Ardo-Kola Local Government Area of Taraba State.
Security sources said the arrest was made at about 7:45 a.m. on May 13 during an intelligence-led operation at Iware community in the area.
The suspect was reportedly apprehended following credible intelligence linking him to arms trafficking activities within the Amaseyo general area.
Preliminary interrogation revealed that the suspect was allegedly involved in illegal arms dealing, prompting his immediate arrest by the joint security team.
The suspect is currently in custody and undergoing further investigation, while security agencies say efforts are ongoing to dismantle arms trafficking networks operating within the state and surrounding areas.
Troops Arrest Suspected Gunrunner in Taraba State
Troops Rescue Kidnap Victim During Patrol in Kogi
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of the Nigerian Army under Operation MESA have rescued a kidnap victim abandoned by suspected terrorists along the Obajana–Jakura–Tajimi axis in Lokoja Local Government Area of Kogi State.
Security sources said the rescue operation was carried out at about 9:00 a.m. on May 13 by troops of 12 Brigade during a fighting patrol along the old Obajana–Jakura–Tajimi road.
According to the report, the troops discovered the victim after suspected kidnappers abandoned him while fleeing from the advancing security personnel.
The rescued victim was subsequently reunited with his family after the operation.
Security patrols and clearance operations have continued along the route and adjoining communities as part of ongoing efforts to combat kidnapping and other criminal activities in the area.
Cuba Blames U.S. Sanctions for Deepening Energy Crisis, Responds Cautiously to Reported $100m Aid Offer
Troops Neutralise Two Terrorists During Clearance Operations in Borno
Governor Buni moves to appeal to guber aspirants to step down for Wali in Yobe
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