From Muhammad Maitela, Damaturu
The Yobe State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to enforcing strict compliance with due process in the planning, approval, and execution of public building projects, to ensure transparency, quality infrastructure, and value for public resources.
The Acting Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Dr Mohammed Goje, made the pledge while receiving the Commissioner for Housing and Urban Development, Arc. Ahmed Buba, and the ministry’s management team on a courtesy visit to his office in Damaturu.
According to a statement by Ibrahim Baba Saleh, Media Coordinator/Liaison Office of the SSG, Dr Goje assured the delegation that the Office of the Secretary to the State Government would continue to support measures aimed at strengthening compliance with established procedures governing public building projects across the state.
He stressed that adherence to due process would safeguard government resources, minimise avoidable project variations, guarantee quality infrastructure, and protect the public interest.
The Acting SSG commended the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development for its professionalism and expanding role in the delivery of public infrastructure, noting that under the leadership of Governor Mai Mala Buni, the Ministry has evolved beyond its traditional responsibility of housing construction to become the government’s technical backbone for public building projects.
He said the Ministry now provides essential technical support through architectural and engineering designs, project supervision, quality assurance, and professional guidance, contributing significantly to the successful implementation of government projects.
Earlier, the Commissioner for Housing and Urban Development, Arc. Ahmed Buba, congratulated Dr Goje on his appointment as Acting SSG and expressed confidence in his ability to strengthen coordination among Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).
The Commissioner described the Ministry’s achievements over the past three years as a period of institutional transformation, recalling that it initially operated from rented premises following its separation from the Ministry of Lands due to the absence of a permanent office.
He disclosed that government later approved the construction of a permanent office complex, which is now more than 90 per cent completed, restoring the Ministry’s institutional identity and providing a conducive working environment for staff.
Arc. Buba further revealed that the Ministry addressed the challenge of manpower shortages caused by retirements through a strategic succession plan that led to the recruitment of more than 120 professional and administrative personnel, significantly strengthening its technical capacity.
He also announced that the proposed Yobe State Urban Planning and Development Authority Bill has successfully passed the public hearing stage and is awaiting the final legislative process. According to him, the legislation will strengthen physical planning and development control across the state.
The Commissioner emphasised that all public building projects should commence with the Ministry’s knowledge and technical input in line with established government procedures.
“As the government’s statutory technical adviser on public buildings, the Ministry is responsible for reviewing architectural designs, engineering drawings, bills of quantities, and other technical documents before projects proceed to procurement and execution,” he said.
He warned that bypassing these procedures often results in avoidable project variations, increased costs, and technical deficiencies, exposing the government to unnecessary financial and operational risks.
Arc. Buba appealed to the Acting SSG to ensure that all MDAs strictly comply with the prescribed technical processes for public building projects.
During an interactive session, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Inuwa Yaroro, and directors highlighted the Ministry’s mandate, key functions, and the importance of inter-agency collaboration.
Yaroro expressed optimism that stronger collaboration among MDAs would improve project delivery, enhance accountability, and ensure that public infrastructure across Yobe State consistently meets professional standards.
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