Governor Mai Mala Buni of Yobe, along with Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno and Governor Umaru Fintiri of Adamawa, embarked on a tour to Pakistan organized by the Multi-Sectoral Crisis Recovery Project (MCRP) of the World Bank. This initiative aims to enhance their understanding of international best practices in crisis management, disaster resilience, and urban development, particularly relevant to their roles in post-insurgency recovery efforts.
According to Mamman Mohammed, Director-General of Press and Media Affairs for Governor Buni, the tour seeks to achieve several objectives:
1. Understand best practices and solutions pertinent to the mandates of MCRP AF (Multi-Sectoral Crisis Recovery Project for the North East) and NEDC/BAY (North-East Development Commission/Borno, Adamawa, Yobe).
2. Strengthen institutional capacity for planning, recovery, and stabilization.
3. Enhance the implementation of infrastructure, services, and social cohesion initiatives.
4. Improve planning for post-NEDC phases.
5. Build the capacity of government ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) to design and execute sustainable projects.
During their visit, the governors have already visited key institutions such as the Punjab Municipal Development Fund Corporation (PMDFC), Punjab Planning and Development Board (PnD Board), and are slated to visit the Punjab Disaster Management Authority, among others. They are also scheduled to engage with Pakistan’s National Disaster Management Authority and various UN agencies.
Governor Buni specifically intends to hold bilateral discussions with heads of donor organizations and private sectors to explore opportunities for resource mobilization to support recovery efforts in their respective states. This tour underscores a proactive approach towards leveraging global expertise and partnerships to address the complex challenges of post-conflict recovery and resilience building in northeastern Nigeria.