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Post-Insurgency: Craftec Homes, Obtuse Tec, others to invest N10 billion into Borno Infrastructural Renaissance
Post-Insurgency: Craftec Homes, Obtuse Tec, others to invest N10 billion into Borno Infrastructural Renaissance
By Our Reporter
As part of efforts to key into Governor Babagana Zulum’s 25-year “Development Plan’’ that would drive stabilization, boost recovery efforts and stimulate growth across all sectors and the 10- Year Transformation Strategy that was unveiled in November 2020 by the Borno State Government, Craftec Homes ltd, Obtuse Tec Engineering and Construction ltd is to partner with TAJ Bank, First City Monument Bank, FCMB and other business developers to invest about N10 billion in Jere Local Government Area and Maiduguri Metropolitan Council, MMC.
This was disclosed on Tuesday at Conference Hall, Prime Lodge, Maiduguri by the Project Manager of Craftec Homes ltd, Engr Grema Hamzah while unveiling ‘Borno Corporate Infrastructural Renaissance’.
He said the over-decade atrocities posed by insurgents and their attendant consequences of destruction require private investors and other development partners to support the Government in the post-insurgency era, so as to provide critical infrastructures and create job opportunities for the teaming youths in Borno.
To this end, Engr Hamzah observes that Maiduguri city’s population is growing due to rural-urban migration, and this trend is likely to continue, which is, in turn, a substantial motivation for infrastructure growth.
“Maiduguri City which is now peaceful continue to witness a rapid expansion of financial service providers, Information Technology, IT and financial technology Enterprises, as well as an increase in the number of relatively high-income buyers and tenants who require more high-quality commercial centres.
“Therefore, these companies are willing to invest in Commercial Joint Infrastructure to the tune of N10 billion. The investment will start with four Mega structures to include; Tech Mall, Renaissance Mall, Craftec Shopping Centre each with (A four-storey building with a mixed-use centre consisting of retail space and A-grade offices along the famous Ahmadu Bello Way, in addition to Exquisite Mall (A six-storey building with mixed-use Centre consisting of retail space and A-grade offices at Circular Raid, all in Maiduguri.
“The Borno Corporate Infrastructure Renaissance is a 100% transactional platform to develop projects, at-risk deals, fast track the closure of deals, and improve the business environment for investments to thrive.
“Craftec Home is not alone in this business, as we are on this platform together with our co-partners, Obtuse Tec Engineering and Construction ltd, Otec MFM, TAJ Bank and FCMB. This is aimed to fast track investments, creating wealth and unleash prosperity for Borno people”. He said.
In his keynote address, Member House of Representatives, Jere Federal Constituency, Hon, Engr Ahmed Satomi who was the former Chairman of Obtuse Tec Engineering and construction ltd, said, as a Board member of the company, this initiative is apt and timely, as it will provide an opportunity to about 70% of Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) marketers who are mostly youths across the state.
Satomi pointed out that, depending on government alone is no longer visible considering the dwindling economy, adding that, with this new development, more jobless people in Borno would be taken out of the streets and become economically self-reliant.
The Lawmaker called on well-to-do individuals, and business partners to embrace this new initiative and invest heavily to develop Borno economically.
Also contributing, the Managing Director, Obtuse Tech, Engr Umar Lawan, said his construction company, was established in May 2013, which is an indigenous firm that specializes in civil engineering works and services such as infrastructural development, roads and drainage, bridges, solar installation, import and export of general civil engineering design and other related jobs.
He added that, in 2020, the company after its Annual General Meeting, AGM, decided to diversify into three sectors; Agriculture, Aviation and Banking.
“Today is another milestone in partnering with Craftec Homes to showcase our capacity in Corporate Commercial Infrastructure Development, CCID.
“We are also partnering with Otec, Financial Tech Micro Finance Bank where our core target is to fill in the 39 million gap of non-inclusion in Northern Nigeria”. Engr Lawan stated.
News
Troops clear bandits’ camps, rescue victims, recover arms in Bauchi
Troops clear bandits’ camps, rescue victims, recover arms in Bauchi
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops under Operation WUTAN DAJI have cleared several bandits’ camps, rescued kidnapped victims and recovered arms during clearance operations in Bauchi State.
Security sources said troops of 33 Artillery Brigade Garrison, in conjunction with elements of the Brigade Headquarters and a team from the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), carried out the operation in Kumbodoro forest and Kumbodoro village.

According to the sources, the operation was led by the Commander, 33 Artillery Brigade, Brig.-Gen. S.S. Shehu, as part of ongoing efforts to rid the area of criminal elements.
They added that several bandits’ camps, including Azuge camps, were cleared during the operation, while a number of the criminals were neutralised.
Items recovered include four skeletal rifles, four dane guns, two pairs of boots, three helmets, a power bank, a Startimes decoder, one FN rifle magazine, one AK-47 magazine, communication links, a jackknife, six mobile phones, arrows, radio chargers, ATM cards, photographs, identity cards, as well as several pairs of security agency uniforms and leg chains.

The sources further disclosed that eight kidnapped victims were rescued during the operation.
They said troops are currently holding position within the Kumbodoro forest to consolidate gains from the clearance mission.
In a related development, the sources said troops deployed at Duguri, in collaboration with local vigilantes, recovered 36 cows at Mushen Kura village following information that the animals were roaming the area.

“The cows are suspected to have fled from bandits’ camps due to the ongoing operations and are currently in custody for further action,” the sources said.
They noted that troops’ morale and combat efficiency remain high, while operations continue to deny bandits freedom of action in the region.
Troops clear bandits’ camps, rescue victims, recover arms in Bauchi
News
Joint security forces raid herders’ camp in Rivers, recover arms and ammunition
Joint security forces raid herders’ camp in Rivers, recover arms and ammunition
By: Zagazola Makama
Joint security operatives under the Joint Task Force, South-South, Operation Delta Safe, have raided a suspected herders’ camp in Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State, recovering arms and ammunition.
Security sources said the operation was carried out at about 1:30 p.m. on April 12 along the IPO community axis by troops of 6 Division Garrison in collaboration with personnel of the Air Force, Navy, Police, Department of State Services (DSS) and Civil Defence Corps.
According to the sources, the raid targeted identified herders’ and cattle rearers’ camps in the area.
They added that items recovered during the operation include one AK-47 rifle, one pump-action gun, 274 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition and four mobile phones.
The sources noted that the operation is part of ongoing efforts to curb illegal possession of firearms and enhance security across the Niger Delta region.
Joint security forces raid herders’ camp in Rivers, recover arms and ammunition
News
Zulum establishes quarry centre, procures 70 trucks for infrastructure development
Zulum establishes quarry centre, procures 70 trucks for infrastructure development
By: Our Reporter
Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, has announced the establishment of a quarry centre in Pulka, Gwoza Local Government Area, to accelerate infrastructure development in the state.
Zulum made this announcement on Monday while flagging off the distribution of 70 brand-new Howo pickup trucks to the Ministry of Works and the State Road Maintenance Agency (BORMA) at the Government House.

The 70 Howo trucks are designed to boost the operational capacity of the Ministry of Works and its supervising agencies. The trucks will enable the swift delivery of materials to sites and faster intervention on distressed roads.
According to the governor, the quarry centre will provide locally sourced materials including granite, gravel and sharp sand to support ongoing and future road projects, reducing dependence on external suppliers and cutting costs.
“We have achieved a lot in health, education, agriculture, security, and road construction among others. However, we still have challenges of constructing roads within the state, especially in rural communities,” Zulum said.
“My administration has established a quarry plant in Pulka with a processing capacity of 120 tons per hour. The State Government spent at least 3 billion to establish the quarry plant”, he added.
According to the governor, due to the prevailing insecurity, most contractors are not willing to work in Borno.

“You know, no serious contractor will take the risk of deploying his equipment to most of the implementing areas, so this is the reason we are here”, the governor reinstated.
“So, we have no option but to strengthen the capacity of the Ministry of Works, the capacity of Borno State Road Maintenance Agency (BORMA), the capacity of special projects, monitoring departments and other MDAs that are responsible for road construction.”
The brief ceremony was attended by the Secretary to Borno State Government, Bukar Tijani, Acting Chief of Staff, Dr Babagana Mustapha Mallumbe, Permanent Secretary Ministry of Works, Engr Baware, BORMA Chairman, Engr Sadu Auno, the Special Adviser on Monitoring and Evaluation, Engr Bukar Gujubawu and other senior officials.
Zulum establishes quarry centre, procures 70 trucks for infrastructure development
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