By Idris Kamal Ibrahim, WikiTimes
In 2019, the federal government, through the Federal Ministry of Employment, Labour, and Productivity, released about N20.8 million for the construction of a skills acquisition center bungalow in Gamawa, Bauchi State.
Data obtained from Open Treasury Portal, an open contracting site of the Federal Government of Nigeria, indicates that G-Men Supplies and Services Limited received the funds for the Gamawa project. Payment for the center was made on 31st December 2019.
Also, in another separate release, the federal government, through the Ministry of Power, Works and Housing released about N20.6 million to Format-One Limited for the construction of another skills acquisition center in Giade, Bauchi State.
WikkiTimes’ findings revealed that the Gamawa Skills Acquisition Center project sited along Gwalolo road was executed, but has not been commissioned for use.
A visit to the site of the project, reveals that thick bushes had overgrown around the structure, making it difficult to reach.
Locals have since repurposed the bungalow as an onion storage facility. The piles of dried onion skins litter the rooms and the pungent smell of onions fills the air upon approaching.
The front door was broken, windows had been stolen, and rooms were left without ceilings.
The skills acquisition center was completely bereft of basic facilities needed for the training of youths.
“No one has ever used the building because it was not fully completed and not housed with the right infrastructure to enable us to properly utilize it for what it’s meant to serve”, said Abdullahi Gamawa, a resident of the community.
Lawmaker Facilitates Gamawa Center
Senator Suleiman Nazif Gamawa who represented Bauchi North at the Upper Chamber between 2015-2019, nominated the bungalow for his native Gamawa hometown.
Mohammed Kaku Gwadabe, Gamawa Local Government Coordinator for the senator, told WikkiTimes that the Gamawa skills acquisition center could not be equipped because the senator lost his reelection bid in 2019.
“The contractor told me they’ve repeatedly sought additional funds from the federal government but couldn’t secure them because the senator is no longer in office to follow up.
“The current senator representing Bauchi North is unwilling to equip the centre since the project was initiated by Senator Nazif,” Gwadabe said.
Women Struggle As Gamawa’s Skills Center Falls Apart
In Gamawa, the local branch of Women in Da’awah operates the only skills training center which already is in a state of disrepair.5
Every day, 30 trainees gather under worn-out roofs that allow rainwater to drip into the training halls and offices.
The section used for teaching soap-making, tailoring, and other crafts, relies on member contributions, yet it only has one old sewing machine.
“As you can see, there are grasses and deep rat holes inside the building. It’s not secure,” said Hajiya Altine Garba, Amirat of Women in Da’awah, adding that they dismiss students whenever rain starts.
Similarly, the Nigerian Youth Council (NYC), with over 50,000 unemployed youths registered in Gamawa, has mobilized local resources to send young people for apprenticeships.
Comrade Maikudi Bello, chairman of NYC, explained that they partner with artisans to train youth in trades like tailoring and welding, taxing themselves monthly to cover costs.
“Our representatives failed to provide us with a proper center for skill acquisition,” Bello said. “They prefer to distribute motorcycles and tricycles instead of equipping youths and women to be self-reliant.”
Senator Suleiman Ignores Inquiries On Project
WikkiTimes submitted an inquiry to Senator Sulaiman Nazif Gamawa seeking clarification on the abandoned skills acquisition center in Gamawa.
The request specifically asked why the Gamawa center wasn’t put to use despite payments to contractors.
One Ibrahim, the caretaker of Senator Gamawa’s Bauchi residence, acknowledged receipt of the letter on December 20, 2021, and promised to forward it to the Senator.
However, Senator Gamawa failed to respond to the letter, ignored phone calls, and did not reply to text messages at press time.
Giade Centre Converted To Staff Room
The skills acquisition center constructed in Isawa, Giade local government, Bauchi State, has been repurposed as a staff room for a local primary school after being deserted shortly after its inauguration.
The center, which was meant to train local youth and reduce unemployment, has been left to decay, leaving the community disappointed.
To Ahmed Isawa, a resident, the center initially brought hope when it was built and equipped with tools such as grinding machines, sewing machines, and desktop computers.
However, only a few weeks into its operation, the center was abandoned, and the items intended for training were distributed to a select few.
“It was a joyous moment for the community when it was first built, but that joy was short-lived,” Isawa lamented.
WikkiTimes learned that about 20 people received the items meant to be used as instructional materials at the center, leaving many others in the community without access to life-supporting training and tools.
Isawa expressed regret that the center, which had the potential to reduce unemployment, was no longer serving its intended purpose.
With the center-left unused, the local primary school took over the building and turned it into a staff room.
Isawa noted, “It has now become a school class under the control of the school,” adding that the lack of action on the center is a missed opportunity for the youth.
The community is now calling on the government to intervene and revive the center. “It would be good for the government to step in because something that was built for the community has been left to decay,” Isawa said, emphasizing the need for resources that could help reduce idleness among the youth in Giade.
WikkiTimes gathered that a former lawmaker, Adamu Gurai who represented Shira/Giade at the lower chamber between 2015-2019 nominated the construction of the center to empower youths and women with means of livelihoods.
Official Defends Distribution Of Training Tools To Beneficiaries
An official involved in the management of the Giade Skills Acquisition Centre, who pleaded anonymity, has defended the decision to distribute training tools to beneficiaries after their training.
He explained that the equipment, including computers, sewing machines, and welding tools, were loaned to participants to help them establish businesses after completing their training.
“The village head approved the training, which lasted over two months. Afterward, some of the beneficiaries requested to borrow the tools, and they were loaned out under mentorship arrangements,” he said.
The source also revealed that last year, representatives of the contractor checked on the center’s condition, prompting the village head to gather the beneficiaries, document the items with photos, and report back to the contractor.
Minor renovations were later carried out on the facility.
Currently, the center and its classrooms are also sheltering people displaced by flooding. Although the building remains functional, the training equipment is now in the hands of the beneficiaries.
Contractor Confirms Completion Of Center
Format-One Limited, a construction firm incorporated in 2010, built a skills acquisition center in Isawa, Giade local government. The project was designed to provide facilities for training youth and women in vocational skills such as tailoring, welding, and computing.
The Ministry of Power, Works, and Housing certified the completion of the project, affirming that Format-One Limited met all the contract’s specifications.
According to ministry officials, the structure and equipment provided were in line with the agreed standards and were expected to contribute to reducing unemployment in the area.
This report was published with support from Civic Media Lab.
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