By George Coben, Bauchi
The Bauchi state executive council has approved the construction of a livestock service center worth over #12 billion under the World Bank project in the state.
This was one of the far reaching decisions taken by the council, presided over by Governor Bala Mohammed, in its meeting at the government house, Bauchi.
Briefing newsmen after the meeting, the Bauchi state commissioner for livestock development, Dr Musa Lukshi, described the establishment of the livestock service center as one its kind in Nigeria.
Dr Lukshi said that the center, which will be performance based, will cover over 12,000 hectres of land, and expected to cover every important sector of the livestock industry.
While saying that the project will be implemented under the public private partnership, PPP, arrangement, Lukshi said that it would be completed later this year or early next year.
Also speaking, the state commissioner for higher education and regional development, Hadiza Kango, said that the council approved over #8 billion for the construction of some physical projects across the 22 tertiary institutions in the state.
She said that of particular attention to the project is the construction of perimeter walls in the institutions to guarantee security.
On his own part, the Bauchi state head of civil service, Barrister Mohammed Umar, said council approved the merger of the Bauchi state road transport agency, BAROTA, to the state vehicle inspection office, VIO, of the ministry of works and transport.
Barrier Umar also disclosed council’s approval of grade level 09 as entry point for graduate engineers in the state civil service as against grade level 08 that was the case.
The commissioner for commerce and industry, Ibrahim Aliyu, also briefed newsmen on council’s approval for the reconstruction of the Destination hotel, Bauchi, under PPP arrangement, with a Chinese company.
He said that the aim is to transform the hotel into a 4-star hotel, with the Chinese partners expected in the state soon for the commencement of the project.
Also briefing newsmen, the state commissioner for works and transport, Professor Titus Ketkukah, said the council approved the installation of solarized street lights from Gidan Mai to Miri, along Bauchi to Jos highway.
He said that there were also ratifications of road projects in urban and rural areas, among others.
Also approved by the council, according to the state commissioner for lands and survey, Abdullahi Gwaram, was the establishment of an agency for development control in the state for sustainable growth and development.
