Special Report:
Foundation For Good Governance

The Bauchi State Governor have started on a good note by laying a solid foundation for good governance as he marks his 100 days in office


September 6, 2019 will forever remain memorable in Nigeria for the governors who were sworn in on May 29, 2019 as they mark their first 100 days in office. The situation is not different in the North Eastern state of Bauchi where the Governor, Senator Bala Mohammed, former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory used the opportunity of the occasion to set his road map for good governance in the state on track.

There have been wide misconceptions or an overt misinterpretation of the American concept of 100 days in office of elected leaders by majority of Nigerians which the incumbent governor of Bauchi state has been able to demystify. In the past, as is still the convention in many states of Nigeria, political office holders begin to choreograph symbolic tangibles dedicated to celebrating their 100 days in Office. Simply put, the day is seen as a landmark which should be celebrated with pomp and pageantry; to serve as a showcase of what were achieved in the first 100 days. In Bauchi state, however, the governor thought differently. Nothing stops him from emblematically giving some public buildings and infrastructure momentary facelift, wrap them in red ribbons and colorful balloons and then with a flashy scissors “commission” them in commemorating his 100 Days in Office. But then, the determined strategic thinking, planning and efficiency in service delivery anchored on transparency brought to the fore by the governor from his sojourn as a public sector operator, wouldn’t allow him to regard his first 100 Days in Office as a celebration of achievements.

The Governor believes that the period does not afford any administration the opportunity to flaunt its score card; rather, it is a period of assessment of the acceptability of the leadership projections and an opportunity of intense engagement of the people. If the period of electioneering campaign was an avenue to present ideas and concepts to the people, Mohammed believes that his first 100 Days in Office should be a period of testing those ideas and putting his plans on the table for the buy-in of the good people of Bauchi state. According to the Governor, “My 100 Days in Office should be a period of putting in place the foundation of my uninterrupted vision for the state in the next four years”.

Since May 29, when he was sworn-in as the executive governor of Bauchi state, it is this mindset of a strategic approach to governance that formed the basis of every decision he made. Kicking off in earnest, the Bala Mohammed led administration in Bauchi state started by embarking on an expansive roads construction project within the three senatorial zones of the state for equity and fairness and for the avoidance of providing the undesirable to any community.

In his few travels across the state for official engagement, he provided immediate succor to many communities in need of emergency interventions. While trying to download his well-articulated ideas and obtain the people’s inputs, he found himself offering immediate solutions to perennial problems. He believes that the business of “celebrating” 100 Days in Office is the prerogatives of the governed who already feel served within 100 days.

The Governor also dedicated his first 100 days for strategic interactive sessions with stakeholders in the seven critical areas of his administration, i.e. security, healthcare, rural development, agriculture, human capital, and workers welfare, infrastructure and industrialization. Whether it is a meeting with security agents, farmers, civil servants, journalists, artisans, union leaders, local or foreign development partners, business leaders or stakeholders, the mission of the Governor is unequivocally and constantly affirmed that his ultimate goal is the accelerated growth and aggressive development of Bauchi state without compromise.

At a crucial meeting with the state’s Head of the Civil Service and permanent secretaries, the Governor shared his vision to reposition the Service as an efficient, service delivery organ of government and repeated same vision at a Media chat held to commemorate his 100 Days in Office.

At his visits to some health facilities in some local government areas, he was clear about the fact that the facilities at the health centres were in deplorable state that needed immediate reconditioning and replacements. The sum of N227 million was released to improve facilities at the various health centres across the state to include renovation, purchase of ambulances and repair works of X-ray machines at Bauchi Specialist Hospital, Dass, Ningi, Alkaleri, Dambam, Gamawa and Azare General Hospitals while the sum of N200 million was paid as counter-part contribution to the Fund of Primary Healthcare Immunization in addition to the payment of N100 million for Basic Healthcare Provision Fund. In addition, the sum of N673 million was disbursed to selected Primary Healthcare facilities that are participants in the NSHIP partnership programme and the 20 local government councils in the state were directed to contribute 1 percent of their Internally Generated Revenue to the Bauchi State Healthcare Trust Fund.

The Governor has promised a turnaround in the health and education sectors as the sum of N10.8 billion was injected into the state as Education Intervention from Tetfund and UBEC. As for security, at one of the closed door meetings with heads of security and intelligence community operating in the state, the governor promised a review of the security strategy as a new measure to tackle general insecurity throughout the state. Governor Mohammed said: “It is a determination of our unreserved commitment towards ensuring that the people have a good life and pursue their legitimate business in a secured environment”.

Corporate governance anchored on transparency and probity has been central to how the governor is piloting the affairs of the state. He has opened up the political space for inclusiveness as promised during his campaign. He has been most concerned about competence as a criterion for appointing people than other considerations. Party affiliation, ethnic correctness and other sundry parameters are secondary to the governor and this much is in the full glare of all. Ahead of the 100 days celebration the Governor had inspected some ongoing projects which include, water and road project. Speaking with Government House Correspondents while at Sabon Kaura, the governor said the inspection of the projects awarded by his administration was part of activities for the celebration.

He expressed satisfaction with the modern water facilities procured and said the development will no doubt ensure effective water supply in the state. On the road projects he inspected, the governor expressed delight with the work so far done by the contractors, and urged them to ensure timely completion and according to the specifications. Governor Mohammed said monitoring and evaluation will be put in place to ensure the execution of projects awarded by the present administration. While at Bauchi State Water and Sewerage Corporation, the Managing Director of the Corporation, Engineer Aminu Gital informed the governor that already, 100 trucks of modern pipes have been procured for the replacement of old pipes. The governor directed the stakeholders in the water sector to use the facilities to block leakages in the supply of water. Areas visited by the governor include Bauchi State Water and Sewerage Corporation, water site in Buzaye behind Zaranda hotel, road project in Yakubun Bauchi and that of Sabon Kaura to Jos road, as well as road project in Wuntin Dada.