..:ITE Community Meet With Stakeholder For The Rehabilitation of 7km Community Roads
Residents of Ibrahim Taiwo Estate (ITE), popularly known as the Federal Low-Cost Housing Estate along Baga Road in Maiduguri, have held a stakeholder engagement meeting with the Borno State team of the Solutions for Internally Displaced Persons and Host Communities (SOLID) Project ahead of the rehabilitation of 7 kilometres of roads and drainage infrastructure within the community.
The engagement marks a significant milestone for the estate, as it is the first major road rehabilitation project to be undertaken in the community since its establishment about 50 years ago.
The stakeholder consultation, held in line with the World Bank’s Environmental and Social Standard 10 (ESS10), brought together residents, community leaders, project officials and other key stakeholders to discuss the scope, benefits and implementation framework of the project.
Speaking during the meeting, the Coordinator and Team Lead of the SOLID Project, Babazanna Abdulkarim described stakeholder engagement as the foundation for effective and sustainable infrastructure delivery.
He noted that meaningful engagement with communities helps build trust, strengthen partnerships and ensure that projects respond to the needs and priorities of beneficiaries.
According to Abdulkarim, the Borno State Government under the leadership of Governor Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum has approved the rehabilitation of roads and reconstruction of drainage systems within the Federal Low-Cost Housing Estate to improve infrastructure and address long-standing environmental challenges.
He explained that involving residents throughout the project cycle would foster a sense of ownership and encourage the protection and maintenance of the infrastructure upon completion.
Abdulkarim further stated that proactive engagement would enable the project team to identify and address grievances before they escalate into disputes or delays, stressing that the World Bank-assisted project is committed to transparency, accountability and inclusiveness.
He emphasized the importance of maintaining an effective Grievance Redress Mechanism (GRM) to provide affected persons with accessible channels for raising concerns and seeking remedies, in line with the provisions of ESS10.
The Team Lead added that the SOLID Project operates within communities hosting internally displaced persons (IDPs) and vulnerable populations, making it necessary to ensure that women, youth and persons with disabilities are adequately represented in decision-making processes.
He also highlighted the need to continuously implement the approved Stakeholder Engagement Plan (SEP) and update it based on community feedback to ensure the project remains responsive to local realities.
The road and drainage intervention is expected to address recurring flooding and environmental challenges within the estate while improving access and mobility for residents.
Governor Babagana Umara Zulum has, over the years, undertaken extensive road construction and rehabilitation projects across Maiduguri and other parts of Borno State as part of his urban renewal and infrastructure development agenda. The intervention in the Federal Low-Cost Housing Estate follows concerns raised by residents during one of the governor’s community engagement visits, during which he assured them of government support.
Speaking on behalf of the community, the Community Leader of the estate, Ba Bulama Alhaji Bukar Mustapha commended Governor Zulum for responding to the needs of residents and for his commitment to infrastructure development across the state.
He assured the government and project implementation team of the community’s full cooperation and support to ensure the successful execution and sustainability of the project.
Similarly, the Acting Chairman of the Estate Tenants Association, Alhaji Surajo Jibrin, expressed appreciation to Governor Zulum and the SOLID Project team for initiating the intervention.
According to him, the rehabilitation project will significantly reduce flooding, protect lives and property, and improve environmental conditions within the community, particularly during the rainy season when residents often experience severe water-related challenges.
The residents also acknowledged the contributions of the Permanent Secretary, Government House, Mustapha Ali Busuguma, Dauda Iliya , Dogo M Shettima , Usman Ali Busuguma and other prominent stakeholders for their roles in facilitating the project and supporting the development of the estate.
