Bauchi State Government has called on the Federal Government to urgently intervene in tackling flooding and erosion affecting about 1,800 communities across the state.
The state governor, Senator Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed, made the appeal on Tuesday while commissioning newly installed solar-powered facilities, renovated chalets and improved water supply infrastructure at the Wikki Camp of the Yankari Game Reserve.
Represented by his Deputy, Rt. Hon. Awwal Jatau, the governor said the communities were increasingly vulnerable to climate-induced challenges, including flooding, gully erosion and stream-bank erosion.
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He said, “In spite of the support received, I wish to state, however, that there are about 1,800 communities in the State that are prone to the climate instigated challenges of natural flooding requiring massive support to mitigate the consequences and restore their livelihoods.”
Mohammed therefore appealed for further intervention from the Federal Government to prevent the affected communities from suffering further hardship.
Speaking on the development at Yankari Game Reserve, the governor said the upgraded facilities would improve visitors’ experience, attract more tourists and create economic opportunities for young people and host communities.
He said, “It gives me immense pleasure and a profound sense of fulfillment to welcome you all to this historic occasion.”
The governor added, “These projects are about more than tourism. They are about jobs, about local businesses, and about giving Bauchi people a reason to be proud of what we have.”
He urged traditional rulers, community leaders, residents and conservation stakeholders to protect and maintain the facilities, describing them as “collective assets belonging to the people of Bauchi State.”
The upgrades include solar electrification across the resort, renovation of chalets and executive accommodation, as well as improved water supply and reticulation facilities.
According to the governor, the use of cleaner energy and improved hospitality facilities would encourage tourists to stay longer and increase spending within the local economy.
He said the solarisation project was executed at a total cost of N2,693,394,939, while the renovation and upgrading of chalets and other accommodation structures cost N166,158,558.46.
The improved water supply and reticulation project, he added, was executed for N110 million.
Mohammed said, “These interventions are intended to create a more attractive and competitive tourism environment, encourage longer visitor stay, increase internally generated economic activity and stimulate opportunities for local enterprises.”
The governor also linked the development of tourism to his administration’s wider economic programme, noting that the state had invested in agriculture through the provision of modern farming inputs, rehabilitation of irrigation schemes, tractor-hiring services for smallholder farmers and the expansion of the State Fertilizer Blending Company.
He said the measures were aimed at boosting food security and strengthening the state’s economy.
Mohammed also thanked the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) for its efforts towards equitable revenue allocation, urging the commission to consider Bauchi’s judicious utilisation of available resources in its future recommendations.
Speaking at the event, the Chairman of RMAFC, Dr Mohammed Bello Shehu, commended Governor Mohammed for what he described as the prudent and judicious utilisation of the Natural Resources Development Fund.
Shehu said the projects had a direct impact on the lives of residents and would contribute to the development of the tourism sector.
In separate remarks, the State Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Dr Adamu Babayo Gabarin, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Dr Chiroma Malle, and the Executive Chairman of Alkaleri Local Government Area, Bappa Aliyu, appreciated the governor and the Federal Government for their support.
The Chairman of Architechtronix Ltd, the company that handled the projects, conducted the delegation around the completed facilities and assured that the work was delivered according to specifications.
The commissioning is expected to boost tourism, support wildlife conservation and create additional economic opportunities for communities in Alkaleri and surrounding areas.