Buhari inaugurates 5, 700 hectares Hadejia valley irrigation scheme

affected by the flood disaster in September 2022, which affected many parts of Jigawa State.

He used the occasion to express sympathies for the flood victims, promising more relief materials to them.

‘‘While I was previously briefed on the scale of the devastations with regards to loss of lives, destruction of farm lands and public infrastructure, today I was able to personally see the extent of the damage.

‘‘Flying from Auyo through Kafin Hausa and some parts of Miga, Jahun, Kiyawa, Dutse and Birnin Kudu Local Governments, I was able to have an aerial view of some of the affected roads, infrastructure and bridges.

‘‘Even though the Federal Government provided relief materials largely in form of foodstuffs through the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs during the period of the flood, I want to assure the Government and People of Jigawa State that more relief would be provided through the National Committee that was set up by the Federal Government,’’ he said.

President Buhari commended Governor Mohammed Badaru Abubakar for his resounding achievements in the State, noting that he didn’t expect anything less from the man nicknamed “Mai Calculator”.

‘‘I have seen the State Publication of a compendium titled “Against

All Odds” which documented the progress and achievements recorded by the Governor over the first six years of his administration.

‘‘I was truly amazed by the extent of projects and programmes executed across all sectors.

‘‘I was amazed because of the limited fiscal space that we have faced over the years across all the tiers of Government – but then I recall the financial prudence Governor Badaru has been known for which earned him the nick-name “Mai Calculator”.’ The President also felicitated with the citizens of the State for unprecedented developments they have witnessed over the years.

He noted that the projects commissioned during his state visit were ‘‘only the tip of the iceberg,’’ adding that only one out of about 18 new general hospitals was inaugurated.

He expressed delight that each of the thirty constituencies in the State would soon boast of a full-fledged secondary health facility.

He urged the State government to sustain the reputation of the State with one of the highest road networks in the country.

On the Mallam Alu Farms in Birnin Kudu, the President described it as another commendable project which perfectly aligns with the administration’s agricultural transformation agenda. He commended Honorable

2023: Fuel scarcity may negatively affect

By Lateef Ibrahim, Abuja

The Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Prof Mahmood Yakubu has expressed the fears that the persistent fuel scarcity in the country may negatively affect its arrangements for the forthcoming general election in the country.

Prof Yakubu expressed the fears in his remarks at a consultative meeting with members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers, NURTW, in Abuja.

The presidential and National Assembly elections are slated to hold on Saturday, February 25, while the governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections are billed to take place on Saturday, March 11, this year.

The INEC Chairman pointed out that the Commission shares the concern of the NURTW members about the fuel situation in the country and its impact on transportation on Election Day.

Noting that the issue of logistics has been a perennial problem in election administration in Nigeria, Yakubu explained that that is why for three electoral cycles now, INEC has collaborated with the road transport unions to address the problem.

Yakubu, however, disclosed that INEC was going to meet, on Tuesday (yesterday) afternoon with the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) to look into ways to ameliorate the situation.

He assured Nigerians that the commission will continue to engage every national institution for the success of the 2023 General Election.