By Abdullahi Alhassan
Residents of Ibrahim Taiwo Estate (ITE), popularly known as the Federal Low-Cost Housing Estate along Baga Road in Maiduguri, have endorsed the commencement of a major infrastructure renewal project that will see the rehabilitation of seven kilometres of roads and drainage systems within the community.
The endorsement came during a stakeholder engagement organised by the Borno State team of the Solutions for Internally Displaced Persons and Host Communities (SOLID) Project, marking the first comprehensive road rehabilitation initiative in the estate since it was established nearly five decades ago.
The consultation, conducted in line with the World Bank’s Environmental and Social Standard 10 (ESS10), brought together residents, community leaders, government officials and project stakeholders to review the scope of work, implementation strategy and expected benefits of the intervention.
Speaking at the meeting, the SOLID Project Coordinator and Team Lead, Babazanna Abdulkarim, said community participation remains essential to the successful delivery of infrastructure projects.
He explained that engaging residents throughout the implementation process promotes transparency, strengthens public confidence and ensures that projects reflect the needs and priorities of host communities.
Abdulkarim disclosed that the Borno State Government, under Governor Babagana Umara Zulum, approved the rehabilitation of roads and reconstruction of drainage facilities in the estate to improve access, address persistent flooding and enhance environmental sanitation.
According to him, the project also seeks to encourage community ownership of the infrastructure, thereby ensuring its protection and long-term sustainability after completion.
He added that continuous dialogue with residents would help identify and resolve grievances before they develop into disputes capable of delaying project execution.
The project, he said, will operate an effective Grievance Redress Mechanism (GRM) to provide accessible channels for residents to report concerns and seek timely resolution, in line with World Bank environmental and social safeguards.
Abdulkarim further stressed the importance of inclusive participation, noting that women, youths, persons with disabilities and other vulnerable groups would be actively involved throughout the project cycle.
He said the Stakeholder Engagement Plan (SEP) would be regularly reviewed and updated to reflect feedback from the community and ensure the intervention remains responsive to local needs.
The road and drainage upgrade is expected to significantly improve mobility within the estate, reduce perennial flooding and strengthen environmental resilience, particularly during the rainy season.
The intervention forms part of Governor Zulum’s broader urban renewal programme, which has delivered extensive road construction and rehabilitation projects across Maiduguri and other parts of Borno State. The project follows concerns raised by residents during one of the governor’s community engagements, where he pledged government support for the estate.
Responding on behalf of residents, the Community Leader of Ibrahim Taiwo Estate, Ba Bulama Alhaji Bukar Mustapha, commended Governor Zulum for fulfilling his promise to improve infrastructure in the community.
He pledged the full cooperation of residents with the state government and the project implementation team to ensure the successful completion and sustainability of the project.
Also speaking, Acting Chairman of the Estate Tenants Association, Alhaji Surajo Jibrin, described the intervention as timely, saying it would substantially reduce flooding, safeguard lives and property and improve the living conditions of residents.
Community members also expressed appreciation to the Permanent Secretary, Government House, Mustapha Ali Busuguma, as well as Dauda Iliya, Dogo M. Shettima, Usman Ali Busuguma and other stakeholders for their contributions toward facilitating the project and advancing the development of the estate.
