Governor Bala Mohammed
By ARMSTRONG ALLAHMAGANI, Bauchi –
Senator Bala Mohammed, has been sworn in for another term of four years as Governor of Bauchi State. He was accompanied by his wife and some of his family members.
His Deputy, Auwal Jatau, was first sworn in as Deputy Governor. His wife also accompanied him.
The Chief Judge of Bauchi State, Justice Rabi Umar, administered the oaths of office and allegiance on both the Governor and his Deputy.
In his speech shortly after he was sworn in for a second term, Mohammed said he accepted his reelection for another term as a call to serve not because he is the most qualified but because it is a divine mandate for him over which he has no choice.
Adding that it represents a validation of his performance during his first term in office however, acknowledging that it is a call for him to do more.
He said: “Looking into the faces of the exuberant crowd of our patriots here present, I recognize the overwhelming significance of this moment. I appreciate the trust that has been reposed in our administration by the majority of our people who voted for me.
“I am conscious that my re-election signifies the endorsement of the manifesto of our great party and the “My Bauchi Project” agenda on which platforms I ran for election in 2019. I am honoured that today’s inauguration represents a validation of the performance of our administration during the first term.
“But it goes beyond that. I see it as a summons to do more. Not as Governor of the Peoples Democratic Party under whose platform I ran or any partisan or sectarian interest but for everyone residing in Bauchi State: indigene and non-indigene, citizen and foreigner, rich and poor no matter one’s station in life.”
Mohammed scored his administration during the first term high in terms of delivery of dividends of democracy to the people in various sectors including education, health, security, revenue generation, infrastructural development, payment of salaries, gratuities and pensions.
He said that his administration inherited a huge debt portfolio in excess of over N100b made up preponderantly of the Paris Club, Budget Support and the Bail Out Fund, and some foreign loans with the repayment of these loans mandatory and deductible from source.
“So far, we have repaid over 50 percent of the debt, a situation that has exposed the state to serious economic constraints, especially in view of the dwindling resources both nationally and internationally. Thus, right from inception, the administration was compelled to devise creative strategies for meeting the huge expectations of the people.
“Without a strong private sector capable of complementing the role of Government as the major employer of labour, Bauchi State has always carried a huge wage bill. In fact, more than 80% of the allocation to the state from the Federation Account goes into the payment of salaries, pensions and gratuities.
“Unfortunately, before the advent of this administration, the issue of salaries, pensions and gratuities had been mired in corruption and lack of accountability. To compound matters, on assumption of office, we met a scenario where months would pass without the payment of salaries.
“Despite the bold steps taken in the areas of financial reforms and the governance environment, I am pained to note that, trying as much as we could within our first term, the challenge of gratuity payment has defied our best intentions and efforts. It is for this reason that despite settling over N4 billion without accumulating new ones, we still have about N23 billion outstanding, inherited from previous administrations in the state.
“Notwithstanding the financial constraints we encountered, we constructed over 1,000 kilometers of urban and rural roads, connecting major commercial areas with markets and providing access to basic social services. Our urban renewal efforts not only eased transportation bottlenecks but also drastically reduced the heavy incidence of accidents that had hitherto overwhelmed the medical facilities with mind boggling orthopedic cases,” the Governor stated.
He promised that during his second term, he would consolidate on the achievements of his first term and deliver the dividends of democracy and good governance to the people for trusting him with the mandate to lead them.
Mohammed said: “Let me reiterate the fact that Bauchi State has no reason to be poor. I want to assure you that by the grace of God, the mandate you have renewed will be deployed to position Bauchi State WHERE it ought to be, a position that, if I may repeat, is characterized by good governance anchored on transparency and accountability, an inclusion and diversity management policy, founded on the principles of equity, justice and fairness, prudent management of resources, peace and security, all leading to shared prosperity for all.
“Finally, I consider the above deliverables, as minimum milestones that I shall, for the next four years, commit my every energy, faculty and fiber to achieving, not because I want to be remembered by them, but because you deserve no less for entrusting in me, the son of a humble District Head from the backwaters of Duguri, with your present hopes and aspirations and above all, the future of generations to come,” he assured.
