By: Monday Danladi, Bauchi
Bauchi State Governor, Sen Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed, on Tuesday, commissioned the upgraded facilities at the famous Yankari Games Reserve and Safari in order to rebrand it ready for tourists visits.
The Governor, who was represented by his Deputy, Rt Hon Muhammad Awwal Jatau, said that the occasion was a turning around milestone for his administration as it winds down.
He said, “Today marks another important milestone in our administration’s effort to transform Bauchi State through strategic infrastructure development, economic diversification, tourism promotion and sustainable investment.”
According to him, “These projects are more than physical infrastructure. They represent our commitment to unlocking the enormous economic potentials of Bauchi State, improving the quality of life of our people, creating employment opportunities for our youths, supporting local businesses and positioning Bauchi as a leading destination for tourism, investment and enterprise, revitalizing tourism and transforming Yankari Games Reserve.”
He stressed that, “Yankari is one of the State’s greatest natural assets and one of Nigeria’s most important tourism destinations. Its unique wildlife, natural landscape, warm springs and rich ecological heritage gives it enormous potential to attract visitors from across Nigeria, Africa and wider international community.”
Rt Hon Muhammad Awwal Jatau, unveiling the commemorative plague
“For too long, however, the full economic potential of this remarkable destination has not been sufficiently harnessed. Our administration believes that tourism must be treated not merely as a recreational activity, but as a serious component of our economic development strategy. That is why we have taken deliberate steps to improve the infrastructure and visitors’ experience at Yankari,” he added.
Bala Mohammed said that, “Today, we are commissioning significant improvements, including modern solar electrification infrastructure, which provides cleaner, more reliable and sustainable electricity for the resort, accommodation areas, pathways and other critical facilities, while reducing dependence on conventional power sources and lowering environmental footprint of the resort.”
He then disclosed that, “This solarisation project was executed at a total cost of N2,693,394,939. Upgraded chalets and executive accommodations, which were renovated and improved to provide modern comfort and hospitality standard for tourists, families, business visitors, researchers and other guests.”
2. Upgrade of chalets – N166,001,558
3. Improved water supply and reticulation – N110,000,000
The total cost of the upgrade of chalets and other accommodation structure project was N166,158,558.46 while improved water supply and reticulation facilities, which aim at strengthening essential utility services and improving the overall functionality and comfort of the resort was executed at the total cost of N110,000,000.
According to him, “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 assured that, “The benefit will extend beyond the resort itself: hotels, restaurants, transport operators, tour guides, artisans, farmers, traders, entertainers and other small businesses within surrounding communities stand to benefit from increased economic activity. Most importantly, we expect this investment to create a greater rent and employment opportunities for our younger people while strengthening the participation of the local communities in the tourism value chain.”
The Governor further said that, “Due to fluctuations in the prices of items occasioned by the inflationary trend in the nation’s economy, the total cost of these projects rose from the initial contract sum of N2,982,726,053.44 to N3,431,640,152.57. The initial contract sum was paid from the Natural Resources Fund provided by the Federal Government, while the difference of N449,914,095.77 was borne by the State Government.”
He then expressed his profound gratitude and appreciation to Almighty God and to the Federal Government for making the funds in the sum of N17 billion available through the Natural Resources Fund to execute the project.
He disclosed that the funds were accessed through the efforts and support of the Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission in recommending same to the President, saying, “We thank the Chairman, the members of the Commission and we are looking forward to more of such collaboration. Once again, we recognize you, we appreciate you, and we are always out here for you to work with as partners.”
“I must also acknowledge that the Natural Resources Fund was also used to construct an earth dam and provided fencing at Sumu Wildlife Park at the total cost of N1,088,695,117.05,” he added.
The Governor also said that,
“Beyond interventions in the tourism sector, I must also acknowledge how the deployment of resources from the Natural Resources Fund has supported our effort in other areas. In solid minerals development, over N7.7 billion has so far been invested toward the development of the Oil and Gas Academy in Alkaleri, aimed at the production of needed human capital for the oil and gas and solid minerals sectors.”
“Furthermore, we have mapped out extensive minerals deposits across the state and invested in institutional framework to transition artisanal mining activities into regulated, revenue-yielding operations. In the areas of environmental mitigation, we have funded sustainable land restoration and afforestation projects to aggressively combat desertification and erosion in vulnerable as well as most susceptible communities in our dear state,” he added.
He disclosed that,”In the area of Environmental Mitigation, we have funded sustainable land restoration and afforestation projects to aggressively combat desertification and erosion in vulnerable communities. Similarly, to support the Agricultural Revolution, a significant portion of the Fund has been utilized to positively exploit our rich agricultural landscape through the provision of modern farming inputs, rehabilitation of local irrigation schemes, and support for tractor hiring services for smallholder farmers to bolster food security.”
He added that,”We have also invested massively to scale up and modernise the State Fertilizer Blending Company to boost its production of required Fertilizer leveraging local raw materials. We remain eternally grateful to the Federal Government for the gesture.”
He added,”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.”
He therefore called for further intervention of the Federal Government to save the communities from further aggravation of their plight.
“As a government, we are committed to repositioning tourism as a viable pillar of Bauchi State’s economic diversification agenda. Our approach is to develop a tourism ecosystem in which government provides the necessary infrastructure and enabling environment, while the private sector, communities and development partners contribute investment, innovation and expertise,” he added.
The Governor declared that,
“Yankari has the potential to become a major anchor for this strategy. With improved infrastructure, stronger security, better hospitality services, effective marketing and greater private-sector participation, we can attract more domestic and international visitors and generate substantial economic value for Bauchi State.”
He assured that,”We will therefore continue to explore opportunities for partnerships and responsible investment that can expand the tourism value chain while protecting our environment and preserving the natural heritage of Yankari for future generations.”
Bala Mohammed added,”Let me emphasize that infrastructure development must go hand in hand with security, environmental responsibility and effective maintenance. We will continue to work with the relevant security agencies, traditional institutions, host communities, conservation stakeholders and other partners to ensure that Yankari and its access corridors remain safe and welcoming to visitors.But government cannot do this alone.”
He therefore called upon the management and staff of Yankari, traditional rulers, community leaders, residents and all stakeholders to regard the facilities as collective assets belonging to the people of Bauchi State.
He urged everyone to protect them against vandalism, misuse and neglect, stressing that, “The sustainability of these investments depends not only on government funding but also on responsible ownership, proper maintenance and the commitment of all stakeholders.”
The Governor stressed that,
“Today’s commissioning is part of a broader development agenda. Our administration remains focused on delivering infrastructure that produces tangible economic and social benefits for our people. We will continue to invest in roads, energy, water, tourism, agriculture, human capital and other critical sectors that can expand opportunities and improve living standards across the State. Our ultimate goal is to build a Bauchi State that is economically vibrant, socially inclusive, environmentally sustainable and attractive to investors and visitors alike.”
Also speaking, Chairman of the Revenue Mobilization, Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC), Dr. Mohammed Bello Shehu, lauded Governor Bala Mohammed for what he described as the prudent and judicious utilization of the Natural Resources Development Fund.
He noted that the projects have direct bearing on the lives of the people and the development of the tourism industry.
In their 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, expressed appreciation to Governor Bala Mohammed and the Federal Government for the support.
The Chairman of Architechtronix Ltd, the firm that handled the projects, conducted the delegation round the completed facilities and assured that quality work was delivered in line with specifications.
The commissioning is expected to boost tourism activities, wildlife conservation, and create more economic opportunities for host communities in Alkaleri and environs.
The solar panels
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