Buni’s Urban Renewal Programme Transforming Yobe’s Capital
By Muhammad Maitela, Damaturu
Damaturu, the Yobe State capital, is undergoing a significant transformation as part of a comprehensive urban renewal programme initiated by Governor Mai Mala Buni. The projects cut across, roads, drainage, modern motor park, an iconic flyover and many more, all set for deployment to public use in two to three months.
A recent media tour of the urban renewal projects revealed a deliberate, well thought out plan by the Yobe State Government to standardise facilities in Damaturu and modernise the city, thereby easing congestion and stimulating the economy.
The most visible project is a three-level interchange, commissioned by Governor Mai Mala Buni, which consists of flyover, a ground-level road, an underpass, and road arteries stretching to the stadium and pilgrims’ roundabout.
According to the State Commissioner for Works, Engineer Umar Wakil Duddaye, the government of Mai Mala Buni has shifted attention to the state capital and other major towns after six years of delivering critical interventions in rural areas.
“This is part of our urban renewal program. After six years of prioritizing rural roads, we are now renewing the metropolis,” Engr. Duddaye stated.
The Damaturu Playover is being handled by a major construction company in Nigeria, Triacta. The company’s Area Manager, Mr Fadi Abi Aad, said they were excited being part of the history of the transformation of Yobe State through the vision of Governor Buni.
“We are creating an icon for Damaturu that will remain for a long time. The entire interchange project is scheduled for full completion by March,” the Triacta Nigeria Area Manager told newsmen during the tor of the project.
The tour also covered the Yobe Woven Sack and Polythene company, a dormant state-owned enterprise being completely retrofitted with new machinery.
According to the Commissioner of Information, Alhaji Abdullahi Bego, the structural renovation of the company has been finished and operations will commence once the procured equipment arrive.
The commissioner said Governor Buni decided to breathe new life into the company to create jobs, stimulate economic growth and make the state self-sufficient in terms of packaging materials for agricultural produce.
Another major project taking shape in the state capital, is the Damaturu Mega Motor Park, with the capacity to accommodate 500 vehicles, and has a drivers’ lodge, terminal building, clinic, police outpost, and restaurant.
“The decongest the city center, a new Damaturu Mega Motor Park is being constructed on the bypass.” He said.
The Commissioner for Housing, Arch. Ahmed Buba said the mega motor park being constructed along the Damaturu bypass, will decongest the city center.
The Project Engineer, Mohamed Abba Hassan of Samsud Construction Nigeria Limited, said the motor park project is at over 85% completion stage and on track for handover by the end of March. According to him, it is “one of the largest of its kind in Nigeria.”
As part of the urban renewal projects, the government is undertaking a major flood control project through the ACReSAL aimed at solving the perennial flooding witnessed annually. It is not just to give free access to water, but reuse the water for irrigation and livestock use.
The consultant Engineer, Suleiman Abdullahi, explained that the initiative will use channels and closing structures to control floodwater, collect and reuse the water for small irrigation schemes and livestock, with a proposed plan to provide storage structure for water harvesting.
It is not just about roads and flood control. The intervention also touched the area of sports, as the government is also refurbishing the August 27 Stadium, which will be fully completed by February
An elated Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Sports, Muhammad Gidado said the stadium upgrade is part of a wider push under Governor Buni to position the state as a hub for major sporting events and youth development.
No doubt, the confluence of these projects signals a concerted push to solidify Damaturu’s status as a modern and functional state capital.
For Abdullahi Bego, the state Commissioner for Information, “History will be very kind to His Excellency for his service in agriculture, healthcare, commerce, road development, and empowerment, and all areas that directly impact the lives of our people.”
