Vara MusaBy Vara Musa
The European Union (EU), in collaboration with the World Health Organisation (WHO), has handed over 43 infrastructural and healthcare projects to Borno state government.
The EU-funded health projects were sited in Monguno, Bama, Gur, Chabbal and Biu Borno South Senatorial District of the state.
These were disclosed in a Borno Package Coordination and Progress Report released on Tuesday in Maiduguri.
“All the completed projects are providing various services to communities affected in the 12-year insurgency,” said the report.
The MRRR report revealed that the commissioned projects were handed over to relevant ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) for sustaining effective delivery of healthcare services to the people.
“While the projects’ completion period ended last December, civil works at the Biu and Monguno General Hospitals are yet to be completed,” noted Yoshiaki Noguci of the UNDP.”
Noguci, was among the 53 representatives of the EU implementation partners held at the Ministry of Reconstruction, Rehabilitation and Resettlement (MRRR) on December 7, 2021 in Maiduguri.
Commissioner of MRRR, Mustapha Gubio, represented by Bitrus Mshelia commended EU, partners and stakeholders, said that partners are to ensure that resources approved for the implementation of projects, are utilized to raise people’s living standards.
He therefore called on UN agencies to complete their projects, so as to fast track their handing over within the time-framework.
Dr. Mohammed Ghuluze, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health, also corroborated EU for the completed projects in the health sector.
“EU’s interventions have facilitated the reconstruction and rehabilitation of health facilities destroyed by Boko Haram insurgents,” he said.
The Executive Secretary, Agency for Coordination of Sustainable Development and Human Response, Buno Monguno also appreciated the EU for intervening in the health, water supply and housing sectors.
He said that in 2021, EU in collaboration with Mercy Corps completed over 700 solar-powered houses for IDP returnees in Bama and Gwoza.
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“The State Government is to address issues of employing doctors and other health workers to manage and sustain Monguno General Hospital,” it said.
The report noted that the dearth of health workers is being coordinated by the WHO country director.
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