The Yobe state government has released N3.7 billion Naira for various capital projects in the state.

The decision was reached at the end of an executive council meeting held in Damaturu, the state capital.

Briefing journalists at the end of the meeting, the state’s Commissioner of Information, Aji Bularafa said the projects are in the area of education, health, security and others.

Education received the lion share of the disbursement as disclosed by Mr Aji Bularafa.

He said 1.1 billion naira is earmarked for the renovation and reconstruction of one secondary school in each senatorial zones of the state.

Benefiting schools according to him include; GSS Yunusari, Fika and Gwio-kura.

But the mind boggling issue on the award of the contract is none of the schools destroyed by the Boko Haram insurgents was listed for the repair.

The Commissioner for Education, Mohammed Lamin, clarified: “We did not earmark any of the schools destroyed by the insurgents because the presidential taskforce on the rehabilitation of the northeast as well as the Victims Support Fund (VSF) among other non-governmental organizations have set aside the schools destroyed by the insurgents for rehabilitation and reconstruction.

“It will be very unwise of us to still invest in such schools. Hence its better and wiser we invest in other school across the state that is why we selected one school in each of the senatorial zones of the state for such repairs.”

Mr Aji Bularafa also disclosed that the council approved the payment of tuition in respect of 836 government sponsored students in Nigeria Turkish international colleges in Mamudo, Kano, Kaduna and Abuja at the total cost of N971 million.

The council, according to him, ratified the approval for the payment of compensation of land acquired for building of 233 Battalion Barrack situated along the Maiduguri Kano express highway at the cost of N191 million.

“The council ratified the approval for the payment of compensation of land acquired for building of 233 Nigeria Army Battalion Barracks in Damaturu along Potiskum road at the cost of N191 million as well as ratified the approval for the rehabilitation of the blown off Katarko bridge along Damaturu- Biu road by Boko Haram insurgents at the cost of N170 million naira.”

He said the council has also ratified the supply and installation of household furniture at the newly completed staff quarters of the 200-bed ultra-modern hospital in Damaturu at the cost of N76 million as it also awarded the supply and installation of 165 units of solar street lights at 200-bed ultra-modern hospital and the state specialist hospital in Damaturu.

The Commissioner further revealed that the council has deliberated on accessing stabilization fund from Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission and appointment of consultants to provide services to the state government to access the fund. (Channels TV)

•Photo shows Yobe Governor Gaidam.

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