From Khalid Idris Doya, Bauchi
The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, is set to perform the official groundbreaking ceremony for the permanent site of the Bauchi Oil and Gas Academy in Alkaleri, Bauchi State, on Saturday.
According to state government, the event marks a major milestone in the administration’s ongoing efforts to harness Bauchi State’s rich natural resources, enhance educational opportunities, and provide world-class training in the oil and gas sector.
Governor Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed announced the development on Friday during the opening session of the State Executive Council’s routine meeting.
The governor called on council members to be proactive in initiating policies, programs, and innovations that align with the administration’s development goals.
“In the next six months, we will be thinking about exit plans. I observe that some of the council members from various MDAs have not even started their procurements,” Governor Mohammed said.
He stressed the need for introspection and accountability as the administration approaches the halfway mark of its second term.
“It’s not just about roads, schools, and hospitals. We must also focus on strategic projects in SMEs, investment, sports, the environment, and humanitarian services that can boost our Gross Domestic Product (GDP),” he added.
Bala Mohammed emphasised that governance involves addressing cross-cutting issues across all MDAs. He urged ministries with approved budgets to ensure full implementation of their projects before the administration winds down.
He added that in the next one month, they will ensure that these projects are implemented, saying the he aware of many key initiatives that were proposed but never followed through.
He advised council members to follow proper procedures, especially in procurement, to ensure transparency and timely execution.
Governor Bala stated that the council would, in its next meeting, engage in detailed discussions on ongoing projects and conduct a self-assessment of MDAs performance.
