Yobe / Arab Bank discusses areas of partnership

Yobe state governor, Mai Mala Buni, Tuesday had discussions with the President of Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa,(BADEA) Dr. Sidi Ould Tah, on areas of support and partnership between Yobe state government and the bank, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Gov. Buni said: “This collaboration is of great importance to us as we strive to recover from the many years of devastation from the huge destructions caused by the Boko Haram insurgency in Nigeria.

“Yobe state is the second most affected state by the Boko Haram insurgency.”

He stated further that Yobe state suffered protracted security challenges with loss of many lives, destruction of government and private properties, infrastructures including schools, hospitals, water facilities, health institutions, roads, power supply and means of livelihood.

He said peace has substantially returned to the state and government took advantage of the improvement in peace to relocate the displaced persons back to their communities after rebuilding infrastructures destroyed by the insurgency.

“I am also glad to inform you that our decision to close down the IDP camps, return the people to their communities, rebuild the infrastructure and work towards recovery of the economy to provide people with a means of livelihood, has been lauded and recognised as a role model by the United Nations Development Programme.

“However, it is a fact that the economy of the state is grossly inadequate to address the humongous destruction caused by the insurgency. This explains the importance of our meeting to explore avenues of support by the bank to accelerate the Reconstruction, Rehabilitation and Recovery process of the state government.

“In recognition of agriculture as the most veritable instrument for the post-insurgency economic recovery, the state government launched a multi billion naira Agricultural Empowerment Programme providing modern agricultural implements to 5,340 farmers.”