By Mohammed Dala Lawan
The Yobe State Government has intensified efforts to rebuild the state’s economy following years of insurgency with the construction of new markets, rural road projects, and agricultural processing facilities aimed at restoring livelihoods and stimulating commerce.
The Commissioner for Home Affairs, Information and Culture, Hon. Abdullahi Bego, stated this during a media tour of key projects across the state, describing the initiatives as central to Governor Mai Mala Buni’s post-conflict recovery agenda.
According to Bego, Governor Buni’s administration has so far constructed nine new markets across Yobe State under two models, modern and ultra-modern to revive trade, attract investment, and strengthen community resilience.
“His Excellency recognised the urgent need to rebuild our communities and reinvigorate economic activity after years of disruption,” Bego said in Yunusari.
“These markets are designed as central hubs to spark commerce and enable people to safely return to their farms, businesses, and trades.”
He explained that four modern markets are either completed or under construction in Yunusari, Ngalda, Machina, and Buni-yadi, while five out of six planned ultra-modern markets have been completed in Damaturu, Potiskum, Gashua, and Nguru.
The sixth ultra-modern market in Geidam is currently under construction.
Speaking on infrastructure development, Bego highlighted the construction of rural roads as another pillar of the administration’s economic recovery plan.
He cited the 25-kilometre Gashua–Masaba road, which connects about 14 agrarian communities that were previously difficult to access.
The Commissioner for Housing and Urban Development, Arch. Ahmed Buba, explained that his ministry oversees the construction of all modern markets in the state, noting that each of the Modern Markets comprises 96 shops, 146 open stalls, 46 lock-up stores, a meat shop, an administrative block, a police station, a fire service station, and a banking hall facility designed to provide a secure and organised trading environment.
During a visit to the Sesame Seed Processing Factory in Machina, the Commissioner for Housing and Urban Development disclosed that the government has established four identical processing factories in Machina, Damaturu, Potiskum, and Nguru, all of which are fully completed.
Ach. Buba, pointed out that each factory is equipped with three processing machines, with each machine capable of processing 10 metric tons per hour, amounting to about 100 metric tons per day.
He further explained that the facilities feature a complete processing line, including washing, drying, cleaning, sorting, and packaging, with room for future expansion.
The side engineer of the Balanguwa Kumaganam road project, Engr. Kabir Muhammad said the project will soon be ready for commissioning, adding that when completed, the road would significantly ease the movement of farm produce and improve livelihoods in the affected communities.
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